Janet was born June 17, 1936 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Lois and Earle P. Enochs. She was the effervescent middle sister of Rosemary, Charlotte Anne and Patricia Sue. When Janet was five her family relocated to the Junius Heights neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. In 1954 she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, earning a Linz pin for scholastic excellence.
Janet grew up attending the First Baptist Church in Dallas where she enjoyed singing with the choir. Her faith was important to her and she considered herself a lifelong Baptist. She said she had a “love affair with learning” which is evidenced by her earning a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University and a Masters in Education from East Texas State University. The fact that Janet achieved this while raising three small children, managing the home and working part time is a testament to her tenacity.
Janet’s interest in journalism was first sparked in elementary school where she worked as ace reporter “Ears Enochs” on her school paper. She carried that interest into her career as a dedicated and popular teacher of Journalism and English at North Mesquite High School for 25+ years. Janet also sponsored the school newspaper and yearbook, helping her students to win many UIL awards for journalistic excellence through the 1970s and 1980s.
One of Janet’s most defining traits was her passion for dancing. From her sock hop days in high school to special events in assisted living, Janet loved to dance. She could dance to anything, from ballroom to square, round or country western. Janet belonged to many dance clubs, her favorite being a complicated swing dance called the Push. She loved a wide variety of music, including R&B, country, musicals and Baptist hymns. She loved Monet and Renoir. She loved roses and her mother’s lavender irises. She loved cooking for family and friends. She never passed up an invitation to go fishing. She loved playing games with her friends and family, especially Trains, and was a tough opponent. She loved clothes and shoes, and dressing up. She loved giving gifts and creative gift wrapping. Chocolate always made her smile. Most of all Janet loved her family and friends.
In the last year of her life - even during lockdowns and quarantined at assisted living- Janet kept her friendly demeanor. The staff fondly remembers laughing with the lady who would yank the plug out of the wall if she didn't like the TV show, who sang along with the radio all the way to the doctor's office, and who enjoyed with gusto her Starbucks mocha latte.
She will always be remembered for her ready smile and fun-to-be-with playful disposition as she brightened our days. She will be sorely missed, but Janet is dancing with her greatest friend, the Prince of Peace, in her heavenly mansion today.
She leaves behind sister Patt McCorkle, daughters Joan Lea and Judy Hooper (Jiri Prevratil), son John W. Hooper; grandchildren Calvin and Anne Lea and Evan, Zane and Kalli Rose Hooper; niece Anne Heaner (Marty) and her son Jack, and nephew Phillip Juett (Shannon) and their children Gabriele and Natalie.
Janet is predeceased by her parents, sisters Charlotte and Rosemary, and niece Angela Owen.
Fondness, funny memories and expressions of sympathy for the family may be shared at www.andersonclaytongonzalez.com.
Services will be held Friday, August 27th at 9:30 a.m., at Grove Hill Cemetery, 4118 Samuell Blvd (at Ferguson Rd.) in Dallas, outside in the Garden of Faith. Chaplain Mike Weaver will preside. Signs to the plot and maps will be posted to this website.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18