Janet Jean Fulford

One of the original ‘Go Girls’ has embarked on her last journey. A Yankee doodle dandy, born on the 4th of July, Janet Jean Fulford, known to many as Sam, left us on August 10, 2018 after a defiant battle with dementia and cancer.

Growing up in South City, she sparkled as a baton twirler, track queen and Roughrider cheerleader at Roosevelt High School.

In 1958 while working at Anheuser-Busch, Janet was crowned Miss Budweiser. The story goes, she spent more on that ball gown for her dance with Gussie Busch than she spent on her first wedding dress.

Janet worked as a TWA reservation agent and traveled the globe extensively with family and friends. She had a strong belief that angels protect you on your travels and always reminded her love ones to “take your angels with you”.

Janet loved her hometown of St. Louis, The Muny, The Fox and spending $300 on a free gift from Lancome. She gave lessons on the lost art of pie making to countless friends and family.

All grandmas love their grandchildren, but Janet took it to another level. You could find her under the blankets with them, armed with a flashlight singing “This Little Light of Mine”, lunching at Neiman Marcus, hosting endless tea parties or on a scavenger hunt for hidden Beanie Babies. If you were Janet’s grandchild, your blanket was warmed in the dryer before your nap.

Janet was a Curly Girl and she was Pop’s girl. Her love and passion for a good ol’ boy from Arkansas changed her world. They managed to blend 6 children, finance 6 college educations and establish their home, the “Forderosa”, as the best place for bar-b-que in Wildwood.

Janet leaves her only sibling and fellow firecracker Shirley McNeil, who at age 4, being born on the 4th of July wanted a sister for her birthday. Legend has it, their mother drank cod liver oil to induce labor and Janet, the second firecracker of the family, was born.

She is survived by her three children with Don Donlon; Chris (Rick) Higginbotham, Joe (Kathy) Donlon, & Missy Donlon, and three step children with the late Pete Fulford; Cindy (Ron) Smith, Lori Fulford, Pete (Kate) Fulford, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Our deepest thanks go to the wonderful caregivers and staff at Brookdale West County, who comforted Janet through her final days.

She made this final trip by herself, but carried with her the love and admiration of many who knew and appreciated the depth of her loyalty and her zest for life.

Her passport was full. Save for one space that will be stamped in heaven.

Services: Funeral service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. Interment Bethel Cemetery, Wildwood. Visitation Wednesday 11 a.m. until time of service.