Janet Evelyn Harvey

On the morning of January 17, 2026, Janet “Jan” Evelyn Harvey of Independence, MO passed away in her home at the age of 75. Janet was born in West Plains, MO to Lawrence and Eathel Williams though she spent most of her life in Independence, MO. Janet loved to drive an over the road truck as a truck driver from 1975 to 1993 until she was injured and disabled breaking her tailbone. Her CB handle was “Ramblin Rose.” During the time of her disability her oldest granddaughter Amber moved in with Janet in 1994. On August 2004 Janet was appointed as a qualified guardian and conservator of her oldest granddaughter Amber Estep an incapacitated and disabled person until she was unable to care for her in early 2020. Janet continued to be an advocate for Amber over the years and loved her unconditionally. Janet loved her dog Rocky, reading books, needle point, sewing, she loved the books of coloring art, and crossword puzzles. She loved embroidery and would often give items she made as gifts to others. Janet was well-liked within her community. She drove people to doctor appointments, grocery stores, and other errands for those in need and for her friends. Janet enjoyed feeding the hummingbirds on her patio and had a passion for butterflies. Janet loved gardening and maintained the Rose garden where she lived and shared the love of gardening with her daughter Janice at both of their residences. Janet and Janice enjoyed visiting lunch at Englewood Café, Red Lobster, and Texas Roadhouse. Her favorite meal was catfish with a sweet potato loaded. Her favorite radio station was 94.9 KCMO. Janet spent an extensive period of time remodeling her previous home with her son James and working on cars together. Janet helped Bobbie move, run errands, and they enjoyed eating at Eaglewood Café in Independence. Janet is preceded in death by her father Lawrence, her mother Eathel, several brothers, and sisters. Janet is survived by her children James Williams, Janice (Butch) Hopkins, Christine Centers, stepdaughter Diane Fountain, and grandchildren Amber, Ashley, Kendra, William, Nicole, Hunter, and Jamie, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jan shared a special bond and long-term relationship with Bobbie and June who are sisters. Janet will be missed deeply by her family and friends. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date and time. Oh! Youth is the bud of the rose, And Love is the flower full-blown, And for Age are the dried rose petals; The dry rose leaves are our own, Sweet-scented with youth long past, And with promise of Heaven in store, Where the rose shall blossom forever And the rose leaves shall fall no more! E. Nesbit Songs she requested after passing: Old Rugged Cross and Swing Low Sweet Chariot 2 Corinthians1:3-7 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comforts abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in your patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…

Janet Evelyn Harvey

May 24, 1950 - January 17, 2026