Janet Blair Wyatt

Janet Blair Wyatt

Janet Blair Wyatt, 83 passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

Jan was born Janet Louise Blair in Cincinnati, OH on July 18, 1937 to Nelson Augustus Blair and Sarah Anne 'Sally' (Huber) Blair. She was raised in a suburb of Cincinnati with her brother John and sister Sally. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in Education and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. While growing up in Cincinnati, she met the love of her life, Charles Handfield Wyatt IV (Charlie). They were wed on June 27, 1959 at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church. Initially settling in Oklahoma, they spent most of the next 30 years in Houston, TX raising their three children; Dr. Charles Handfield Wyatt V (Chuck and Noemi) of Pensacola, FL, Julia Wyatt James (Bill and Julie) of Charlotte, NC, and Lisa Wyatt Miller (Ken and Lisa) of Dallas, TX.

In both Jan's professional life and personal life, she was known for being vibrant, kind, energetic, and an inspirational force creating positive change. Education and history were her passions that she leveraged throughout her professional career first as a school teacher, then as a PR/Special Event Director educating Houstonians about professional hockey with the Houston Aeros and serving for 25 years with the Harris County Heritage Society ultimately becoming Communications Director. She curated the exhibit Messages from Houston, which explored how news traveled from 1836 through the Apollo moon landing. Respecting the past while looking forward into the future was her gift.

Jan's legacy is rooted in her love for her family, her strong Christian faith and her commitment to serving others. She became an invaluable contributor in every community in which she lived and instilled that same value in her children. Jan was always industrious and thoughtful, putting others first and constantly trying to find better ways to do things. While her children were young, she was actively involved in the PTA and as a volunteer supporting the activities of her children.

In 2002, Jan retired with her husband in the beautiful mountains of Cashiers, NC. Her love of history led her to volunteer with the Cashiers Historical Society. She became President of the organization and in 2004 launched the first ever Cashiers Symposium. The Symposium was later renamed the Jan Wyatt Symposium and is still held annually. She was editor of the 26-county Museum in Partnership newsletter and a board member of the North Carolina Federation of Historical Societies. Jan co-authored a book "Images of America - Cashiers Valley" which was published in 2007. She and her husband were honored as "Volunteers of the Year" by the Cashiers community.

In 2007, Jan and her husband Charlie moved to Lafayette, LA to be closer to family. She immediately became involved in various community initiatives. As a Master Gardener, she chaired the creation of the international award winning Le Jardin Des Traiters ("the Healer's Garden") at the Vermilionville Living History Museum. Jan was founder of the Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market at the Horse Farm and later served as Chairman of the Board. Jan and her husband spearheaded the formation of the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association, a nonprofit whose purpose was to protect, conserve, and enjoy the Bayou Vermilion watershed. The Association won the 2014 Conservation Organization of the Year Award from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

Jan and her husband Charlie's final move was to Pensacola, FL where they enjoyed living on the water watching the Blue Angels fly overhead. Not ready to retire from volunteer work, Jan became involved in the Newcomer's Club, the Naval Air Station Pensacola Chaplain and Religious Services and served on the Bayshore Condominiums board.

Jan's passions included genealogy, preserving history, gardening, hosting parties, and learning to use new technology to design websites for nonprofit organizations and desk-top publishing. Jan and Charlie shared a love for genealogy and traveled across the Country and even the world to document their family history. Jan established a web site for her family (http://wyatttree.org ) to share family history with her children, grandchildren and future generations.

In addition to her children, Jan is survived by her brother; Dr. John Blair (John and Sue) of New Braunfels, TX; nine grandchildren; Dr. William F. James III (Trey and Katie), Morgan Blair (James) Hlinka (Blair and Matt), Sarah Mainous James, Rebekah Cornett James, Andrew T. Miller, Julia A. Miller, Catherine G. Miller, Charles Handfield Wyatt VI (Chad) and Matthew L. Wyatt and two great-grandchildren; Laura Margaret James & William F. James IV (Liam). Jan was predeceased by her sister, Sally Blair Bligh (2006) and her loving husband of 59 years, Charles Handfield Wyatt, IV (2018).

A celebration of Jan's life will be held July 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 18 W. Wright St., Pensacola, FL.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may given to:

Christ Episcopal Church - Outreach Ministries (https://christ-church.net);

Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market (https://marketatmoncuspark.com); or

Cashiers Historical Society. (https://www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org).