Janet Tolbert Walling

Born in 1936 in Ada, OK, Janet was the daughter of William Hayward Tolbert and Mallie Rosemary Powell. Her name appears as Jeannette on her birth certificate, but she changed the spelling to Janet as an adult. She grew up on a farm in Stonewall, OK and attended school there, graduating in 1954. At Stonewall, she developed her love of reading, gardening, and music. Janet also learned about the harshness of life at Stonewall, losing her mother to breast cancer in 1952.

She attended East Central University in Ada and needed only three years to complete her studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1957. In that same year another significant event occurred when she married Jim Walling on Valentine’s Day. The couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2025.

Janet gave birth to two boys, Mark and Jeff, in 1962 and 1965. The family settled in Shawnee where Jim opened a successful used car dealership and Janet served as a teacher of English, Spanish, and French at Bethel, retiring in 1994.

Janet was a devoted mother, providing lessons in piano, reading, and Bible studies, as well as supporting her children’s passion for sports. The family became active members of the East Main Church of Christ where they formed deep friendships with numerous families. The caravan of East Main families on I-40 for extended trips to Tenkiller Lake became an annual summer event.

In retirement, while Jim switched careers to become a successful high school basketball coach, Janet fulfilled a lifelong dream of travelling. She explored many European countries and even ventured to Australia with a tour group formed of women from Pottawatomie County.

Janet is survived by her husband Jim of Shawnee; her children, Mark Walling (Bethany) of Ada and Jeff Walling (Tisa) of Phoenix, AZ; her grandchildren Dylan Walling of Oklahoma City, Erin Walling of Denver, CO, Flossie Walling of Ada, Maya Marti (Nate) of Phoenix, AZ, and Eli Walling of Naval Air Station North Island San Diego; her brother Bill Tolbert of Odessa, TX; her niece Rebecca Tolbert of Odessa, TX, and her nephew Tim Tolbert of Odessa, TX.

Janet was preceded in death by her mother and father.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held in a graveside service at Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Shawnee on September 8, 2025 at 10:00.