Janet Gay Munson (aka Aunt Jan, aka Planet) passed away in her home with her sons by her side on March 2, 2024. Janet was born May 3, 1946, in Webb City, to Howard and Glenna (Decker) Munson. She graduated from Alba High School in 1964 and from Sam Houston State University in 1997 with a bachelor of science in psychology. She was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society and Psi Chi Psychology Club. She was employed with Ball Metal as a personnel manager. She also sold real estate in California and Texas. But her most rewarding career was working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in various capacities, retiring from Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare in 2016 as an IDD service coordinator. Janet attended the Methodist church from the time she was very young. She attended St. Paul’s Methodist Church a few times before she was too ill but continued to watch it on television.

Janet loved music, especially country and ’70s and ’80s. At 4 years old, she sang “Trust and Obey” three Sundays in a row and loved it. She would sing it every chance she got.

People often teased Janet because she moved around so much. While Missouri is her home, she lived in Texas, California, and she even lived in Berlin when the wall was still up. She said that everywhere she went she loved meeting new people and new experiences. She loved her Bunco friends Joe and Greta, Kelly P, Kelly W, Jo, Erin, Linda and Maryann.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; sister Rachel (Munson) Sidenstricker; and nieces Rhonda (Sidenstricker) Fisher and Renee Sidenstricker. Other beloved friends who went before her were Susie Smith, Peggy Murphy and Ruth Polen. And her beloved fur babies Maggie and Radar.

She is survived by her sons, Devin Ferguson, of Michigan, and Jeff Ferguson, of, Arkansas; nieces Robin Passley, Janet’s namesake Jana (Cody) Smith, Rachel Sidenstricker, Amelia Dodson, Kennedy and Kylie Passley; nephews Rusty (Kathy) Sidenstricker, Rusty (LaHeather) Fisher, Travis (Gretchen) Passley, Drew (Lory) Passley, Zane Endicott, Colton Passley, Garrett Pliler and Charlie Smith; friends who are more like family, Carolyn Isenmann, Trish and Alan Cornell, Dave and Brit Heilbrun and children Cooper, Gage, Hadley; and Linda Givone.

Janet loved the beach, and some of her ashes will be spread in the ocean so she can forever feel the rippling of the waves.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Purcell Friends Cemetery. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.