Janet Ann Bivens

Janet Ann Bivens (née Liston) was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She entered her Heavenly home on September 22 at the age of 86, where she was reunited with her beloved husband, Wayne, who passed away last month, and welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior.

Born in Muncie, Indiana, and raised in Ripley, Ohio, Janet was known for her warmth, generosity, and steadfast devotion to her family. She built a successful career as an administrative professional, bringing more than 30 years of experience and dedication to her work, including roles with Equifax and PricewaterhouseCoopers. After retiring from PwC, Janet embraced a second chapter as a gate agent with AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines, where she combined her passion for people, service, and travel.

An avid traveler and adventurer at heart, Janet enjoyed exploring the world alongside her husband of 68 years, Wayne. Together, they visited destinations across the globe, from Europe to New Zealand, and shared countless cruises and memorable excursions. She also delighted in planning trips with her cherished “girlfriends” and nurturing lifelong friendships with colleagues and fellow members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), where she served in numerous leadership roles.

While Janet appreciated discovering new places, her greatest joy was found at home, surrounded by those she loved most. She treasured every opportunity to gather with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially at the beach, where they created memories that will be treasured for generations.

Janet and her family were longtime members of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church and Forest Park United Methodist Church. In recent years, she found comfort, hope, and fellowship at Christ Community Church in Forsyth, where she worshiped alongside her friends from River Place Assisted Living.

Janet is survived by her sons, Tony (Gery), Mark, and David (Debra); her grandchildren, Ashley (Tad), Abby (Cale), Josh, Mac, Connor, Thomas (Carrington), and Samuel; her great-grandchildren, Lilli and her husband, Justin; Avery and his fiancée, Kayleigh; and Mark Henry, Owen, Blakely, and Michael; and her sisters, Phyllis and Carolyn.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Forrest Wayne; her parents, Roscoe and Juanita; her parents-in-law, Forrest and Lena; her daughter-in-law, Linda; and her siblings, Lana, Butch, and Ricky.

Janet will be remembered as the doting matriarch of her family, who found great joy in party planning and gatherings. She had a special love for holidays, especially Christmas, and was known for her thoughtful gift-giving, enjoyment of a good margarita, and remarkable talent for planning, organizing, and making lists—all things that reflected her love of bringing people together.

Her legacy lives on through the family she loved so deeply and the countless lives she touched with her vibrant spirit, kindness, and friendship.

Though she will be missed, her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with Wayne, whom she affectionately referred to as “her sweetie” and “my husband.” Together, they shared a lifetime of love and devotion.

Janet’s greatest joy was bringing people together, and to honor her, family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate her life on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 3:00–5:00 PM at Haisten Funeral Home in McDonough. We hope you’ll join us in sharing stories, laughter, and memories of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.