Janet Reed Turner

1930 - 2020

Janet Reed Turner

After just four months since her beloved Craig died, Janet, his wife of 67 years, died in her sleep Thanksgiving weekend. They both grew up in Clemson, S.C., and their parents were friends. Craig gave Janet her first kiss when he was eight and she was five, while their parents were playing bridge and they were both supposed to be sleeping. While they both dated other people during their teens, Craig always "knew" he was going to marry Janet. It took him until he had his car packed for his job-related move to Blacksburg that he told her, though.

Janet was an appreciator of the arts. She often said "I have no talent, but I'm a great clapper". She and Craig had season tickets for years to all of the local arts productions, and she amassed quite the collection of local artist's work. She was an ardent supporter of her children's musical endeavors, and was an enthusiastic "band parent".

She also loved the great outdoors. Janet and Craig had a series of dogs that they loved to take hiking and camping after Craig retired. When the children were small and she had a tight budget, she came up with a creative solution to camping that involved a plywood hut contraption Craig found plans for in the Roanoke Times, that bolted onto the top of the family station wagon. The older kids slept up there, the toddler slept on the front seat and Janet and Craig slept in the back of the station wagon. Another set of plans from that same newspaper enabled her to have a camping kitchen.

Janet was a math major in college, and good with finances and future plans. She conscientiously took care of her own parents during their twilight years, and made plans for her own elder care.

She is survived by her children, Marilyn (John), Ed, Doug (Lisa); her grandchildren, Becca (Dave), Craig (Jessie), Joe (Lan), Katie, Wes (Alyssa), and Chrissy; and her great-grandchildren Mesa, Zach, and Levi. She was a smart competent woman who spoke her own mind. Her counsel will be missed by everyone who knew her. Both she and Craig's life will be celebrated in the late spring due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made in her name to the Montgomery County Humane Society.