Janet Barlow Kelly, 89, of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 26, 2020. She was born February 14, 1931 in Lincoln County, Mississippi, to Estus and Frankie Britt Barlow. Janet was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who always put family first. Educated as a teacher, she also loved gardening, homemaking and caretaking. Her grandchildren knew and loved her as Granny. They remember “Kelly’s kitchen” for the wonderful Southern cooking, her famous fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and melt-in-your-mouth coconut cake. Her sisters refer to her as fun-loving and full of laughter. Sister trips to various destinations throughout the Southeast became some of her favorite memories in later years. Janet’s final years were spent at Beau Ridge Memory Care in Ridgeland, Mississippi with her husband by her side. Caregivers, residents and families at Beau Ridge admired her 65-plus year marriage to Bill Kelly as dedicated, loyal and loving.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, Annie Maude Case, and her granddaughter, Lauren Olivia Lukens.

She is survived by her husband, William Oliver Kelly; children Jan Lukens (Todd Frieze), Kathy Bullock (Daryle), Susan Walt (Bruce), Keith Kelly (Katy); sisters Katie Minton Coleman, Nell Robertson (Wayne), Bobbie Kimble (Herbert); grandchildren Emily and Madelyn Lukens, Emma and Grayson Frieze, Bradley, Drew, and Kendall Bullock, Olivia, Hunter, and Heath Walt, Nathan and Rachel Kelly.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Beau Ridge Memory Care and Independent Living staff for all the kindness throughout our mother’s sickness. Our prayers were answered with the wonderful nursing care that all of you provided for nearly four years.

We also thank Kare-In-Home staff in Ridgeland and Ocean Springs. Our mother had the best in comfort care and our family felt so supported.

Private graveside services will be held at the lifelong Barlow family church, Mount Zion Baptist, in Lincoln County. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Brookhaven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To share condolences, please visit www.brookhavenfuneralhome.net.