Janet Stark Ranney

Janet was born on March 25, 1933 in Winston Salem, NC to parents Richard and Martha Bell Stark. From there her father’s career brought them to Memphis, TN and Atlanta, GA before finally settling in Daytona Beach, FL. There Janet graduated from Seabreeze High School where she was chosen homecoming queen and first caught the eye of Tom Ranney. They later began dating at Florida State University after Janet and a few of her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters were caught painting the Sigma Alpha Epsilon lion pink late one night when Tom was the fraternity president. The ever adventurous Janet was also on the stationary trapeze in the FSU flying circus. Janet and Tom were married in November of 1955 in Daytona Beach and moved to New Rochelle, NY where Tom began his successful IBM career in Manhattan. From there IBM brought them to Orlando, FL where children Tom and Sharon were born and then Tampa, FL with the arrival of a second son, John. Another IBM move took the family to Dallas, TX before their last career move to Jacksonville, FL.

Janet became an accomplished corporate entertainer and hostess while involving herself in various charitable organizations in each city. She was the president of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary more than once and always found the perfect necessary Presbyterian church with every move. She and her entire family have been active members of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church for over forty years. Janet also served on the Women’s Board of the Wolfson Children’s Hospital, as president of the Point La Vista Garden Club and also served in various volunteer capacities for the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. Faced with an empty nest Janet began new careers joining the staff of the Underwood Jewelers downtown and San Marco locations as well as the Mandarin Stein Mart Boutique for many, many years. Then of course there were the countless bridge clubs, an enjoyably fulfilling requirement for every new destination. Janet was also an accomplished and gifted English equestrian, a true natural on horseback, riding dressage and traveling with her horses through the seasonal circuit.

Always surrounded by friends and family Janet’s brilliantly subtle sense of humor was an unexpected joy for those who could grasp her dry wit. A beautifully elegant marvel of social grace she will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched and forever by her family who loved her most.

Janet was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Tom Ranney and her younger brother Dick Stark. She is survived by son Tom Ranney, Jr. (Melinda), daughter Sharon Schnatterly (Eric), son John Ranney (Kelly) and grandchildren Amanda, Brendan, Jack, Tucker and Griffin.

Celebration of life will be held at 10:30A.M on Friday, November 11, 2022; at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, 2137 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

The family respectfully suggests donations to South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church capital campaign in her honor.