Janet Earnhardt Fuller

Janet Ellen Earnhardt Fuller was born on November 17, 1939 in Bristow, OK to Oscar Ewing and Vera (Dunlap) Earnhardt.  She went Home to be with her Lord on May 18, 2024 in Waco, Texas.  

Janet was the youngest of seven children with an eight-year age gap between her next older sister and herself.  One of her favorite childhood stories to tell was that she often pouted to her family that they should have just named her “Janet Do” because they always said Janet do this, and Janet do that!  After sharing that, she would then smirk and admit that she could be a bit of a brat at times.  Janet’s mother passed away when Janet was only 12, so her sisters and sisters-in-law stepped into her mother’s role to nurture her with loving care and guidance, for which Janet was always grateful.

After Janet graduated from Bristow High School in 1957, she attended nursing school in Muskogee, OK.   A year later, Janet married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Fuller, on August 8, 1958.  Bill began his Air Force career immediately after high school, and after they married, Janet began her long journey of being a loving, supporting, and dedicated military wife, that she continued throughout his career.  They were initially stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, where their three daughters - Jamie, Karen, and Jeanette - were born.  Bill received orders to serve in Okinawa before Jeanette was old enough to travel internationally, so he had to leave without his family.  As soon as allowed, Janet travelled alone from Charleston to Okinawa, with an infant, an 18-month-old, and a three-year-old, demonstrating her strength and tenacity, even as a very young mother.  This was an early and perfect example of how Janet repeatedly stepped up to do what needed to be done for her family.

Janet continued to be a rock for her family through many moves, as well as the times she maintained the home front and lovingly cared for her daughters during Bill’s many tours away.

Bill was last stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, where he retired.  Bill and Janet then moved to a mountain home in Colorado, where she enjoyed the beautiful creation God provided her for over 20 years.  They next moved to Fruita, CO, and finally near the end of 2022, to Robinson, Texas, closer to their Texas daughters and grandchildren.  In June of 2023, Janet began to make The Blake Memory Care her new home.  True to her nature, she immediately made friends of fellow residents, staff, and caregivers, who adored her.  Her personality remained one of sweetness, gentleness, and wittiness, even as her memory failed her.

Throughout her lifetime, wherever she was, Janet energetically made new friends - always pleasantly greeting others and reaching out to cultivate relationships.  She constantly watched for people around her who might have needed help or simply needed attention, which she readily gave them.  She always expressed genuine interest in others and treated them with kindness.  Her compassionate servant heart shone for all around her to see.

During Janet’s lifetime, she lived her life for the Lord and freely shared her love of Jesus.  She deeply cherished her family, who were truly blessed by her love and example.  Behind her kind smile and sparkling eyes, her subtle mischievous grin often invited many friends and family members to enjoy kidding and teasing with her, highlighting her quick wit and playful nature. 

Janet demonstrated unending patience with people, events, challenges, and the many examples of her skills and artistry.  She was an amazing seamstress (requiring loads of patience!) over many years, creating clothes for her girls and grandchildren that surpassed the quality of “store-bought” - even including wedding dresses!  She modified patterns to achieve special features that were not in the original, and even created patterns from scratch for many projects.   Beyond clothing, she crafted cushions, pillows, teddy bears, carriers, corn bags, doll clothes, Christmas stockings, and the list goes on.

In the words of her youngest, Jeanette, “She was a light to everyone who knew her!”

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ewing Earnhardt and wife Beulah, Bill Earnhardt, Wayne Earnhardt and wife Hazel; and sisters Jean Stark and husband Bill Joe, Joyce Hajny and husband Jet, and Janice Barry and husband Lynn.  

Janet is survived by her husband Bill; daughters Jamie Fuller, Karen Rogers and husband Larry, and Jeanette Wilhelm; and sister-in-law Maxine Earnhardt.  Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Janelle and husband James, Brandon, Jessie and husband Duncan, Bradi, Bailey Kate, and Devin; great-grandchildren Paxton, June, and Waylon; and many nieces and nephews.

Janet will be honored at a memorial service with her extended family at a later time.  The family is grateful for the loving care and attention Janet received at The Blake at Waco.