Janet, or “Jan” as she was more commonly known, was the daughter of the late Louis Vincent and Mattie Stella (Jackson) Trudeau, born to them on March 24, 1947 in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
In the evening of November 22, 1972, at Sinking Valley Baptist Church in Cannon, Kentucky, Janet married her high school and college crush, the love of her life, Sharold David “Dave” Hammons. To this union, two children were born, Sharra Chanté and Matthew Vincent David.
Janet was saved and baptized as a teenager and eventually elected to serve the Lord in the capacity of being a primary grades schoolteacher at Girdler Elementary for nearly 30 years, having attended both Union College and the University of Louisville and becoming certified as a reading specialist for the perceptually handicapped. Janet considered her profession a calling of God, and she made it her life’s goal to help oodles of first grade students learn how to read successfully. She was a faithful member of Heidrick Holiness Church in Heidrick, Kentucky.
Janet’s jolly demeanor was unforgettable. She was loving and kind to everyone she met—especially her students. She relished spending time with young people—her children, students, nieces, nephews, etc.—and was ever-ready for playing games or dancing to her favorite genres of music. She was one fierce Monopoly opponent!
Janet spent her formative years in Louisville, Kentucky. She was an avid Elvis Presley fan as a youth. She collected his cards and strove to dress similarly and style her hair like his at one point. She enjoyed bubble gum pop and California surf sounds from the ’50s and ’60s, and the woman sure could “cut a rug,” knowing every dance move that had ever been since the dawn of time.
Janet had the most recognizable smile with sparkling hazel eyes and glowing chubby cheeks. She was a lefty, short in stature—5’4”, and she wore her hair in much the same style for decades. Her hair was its own entity.
Janet was talented in the arts. She could look at any object and replicate it by drawing. In fact, much of her classroom decoration was not store-bought but crafted by a true original. She was also talented in music, making All-State Choir as a soprano throughout her tenure as a student at Knox Central High School. She had played the clarinet during middle school and learned enough piano to be proficient, but her voice featured most prominently in that she sang like an angel.
Janet took such pride in being a mother and was all about giving and receiving hugs. In fact, hugs may have been her all-time favorite thing. She supported her children in their every pursuit and made certain that they had what they needed. Her mother used to preach that children must have the tools necessary to succeed, and Janet ran with that concept. But her own motto over the years was “Trust in the Lord, and do good.” It was that simple.
Besides her parents, preceding Janet in death include her cousin, Donna Carol (Jackson) Napier, whom Janet loved as a sister; her best friend and former colleague, Ilene (Smith) Irvin; and Hammons Family in-laws, Matt and Jean Hammons, Aubrey Hammons, Florence M. (Parrom, Jr.) Owens, Ralph K. Hammons, Vivian C. (Stanley) Borowski, Sye Jason “S.J.” (Mary) Hammons, Donnie L. Hammons, M. Aileen Combs, Joyce L. Hammons (infant), A. Jane (Larry) Dunning, Homer Ray Hammons and Margaret Ann Callebs.
Left behind to mourn her passing are her husband of almost 52 years, Dave, her children—Sharra C. (Paul) Hyatt and Matt (Angie) Hammons—and her beloved grandsons, Thoren Vincent Dominick Hyatt and Mattox Aldon Hammons, ages 17 and 10, respectively. Also mourning her passing are dearest friends, The Irvins; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jeannie (Abner) Hammons, Faye (Blevins) Hammons, Carl Combs, Larry and Gereldean Brewer, Evelyn (Jackson) Hammons and Troy Callebs; nieces, nephews, cousins, former students, former co-workers, friends, fellow Heidrick Holiness Church members; etc.
Janet’s Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Heidrick Holiness Church under the direction of pastor, Donnie L. “Duke” Hammons, and Knox Funeral Home. Family and friends may visit between 1 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, and the service will begin at 2.
Send a condolence to the family of a JANET HAMMONS.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
