Janet Carlyne O’Saile Lanning was born on October 9, 1932 in the Shackle Island community north of Hendersonville, TN to Luther and Ruth (Jones) O’Saile. She passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on May 13, 2026, after a short time in hospice care, in White House, TN, not far from where she was born. She was an older sister to Doug and Judy, who both preceded her in death, as well as her mother, Ruth Milstid, and her step-father, Thomas Milstid.

Janet grew up in Hendersonville, TN, where she attended Hendersonville High School. In her junior year, she caught the eye of her friend’s older brother, who had been away serving in WW2 and was then in his final year of college. Earl Lanning was seven years older and remembered her as a little girl, but when her date for a school party canceled on her, Earl stepped in and escorted her. He spent the evening visiting with the teachers, who were more his age, but he soon began courting Janet. They were married on May 20,1950, and were married for 66 years until Earl’s death in 2017.

Earl and Janet’s marriage produced five children: Dee Kilgore (Danny) of Prairie Grove, AR, Rick Lanning (Benita) of Maple Grove, MN, Ron Lanning (Marianne) of Portland, TN, Rebecca Flynn (James) of Cordova, TN, and Renita Harber (Norman) of Goodlettsville, TN. From those children, she became Granma to fifteen grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Janet never aspired to anything but to be the best Christian, wife and mother that she could be. Raising her children in a warm, safe, faith-filled home was her mission. She and Earl began their family in Jackson, TN, but soon moved to Memphis, TN for nearly 40 years. She cooked hot breakfasts every morning and nutritious dinners every evening - those were not optional. Everyone was to be sitting together at the 1950s formica table at every meal. She prepared over 10,000 school lunches for five children over the course of 20 years of schooling. She was very actively involved in the kids’ schools, serving as PTA president some years. Sewing took a big part of her time, making clothes for all five children while the boys were young, and for the three girls after that, as well as for herself. Christmases were always amazing, as the girls would open packages holding a whole new wardrobe of clothing that she had sneakily made while we were away at school each day. She could stretch a dollar farther than anyone, clipping coupons, buying home decor with stamps, letting out hems as we grew so we could wear clothes longer. She taxied all five children and their teammates to countless sporting events. Later in life, as the children left home, she took up crocheting and made afghans for all the children and grandchildren. She served as a Bible class teacher to children and women, and was a helper to Earl as an elder’s wife for over 50 years at Winchester Road (Memphis) and Lakeview (Hendersonville) Church of Christ. After retirement, they returned to Hendersonville, where their story had begun.

The family would like to thank the staff at Charter Senior Living of White House for their amazing care and love during her last ten months. Also, we are grateful to Alive Hospice for their help during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to her favorite charity, Sacred Selections. (www.sacredselections.org)