04/21/2026
Janette Russell Taunton
Funeral services celebrating the life of Janette Russell Taunton, 91, of Farmerville, Louisiana will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 24, 2026 at Farmerville First Methodist Church with Rev. Hank Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow immediately after at Farmerville City Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe.
The visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, April 23, 2026, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe.
Mrs. Janette was born on April 8, 1935, in New Orleans, Louisiana and passed away on April 17, 2026, in Farmerville, Louisiana.
Janette lived her life with a grateful heart, often expressing deep appreciation for the foresight her father had in moving their large family to Monroe, Louisiana, a place with public transportation, city water, sewer, and a small college that opened doors for all six of his children. Growing up in a bustling home with five siblings, she learned early the value of faith, family, and perseverance. Her father was the cornerstone of their Christian household, and the family worshiped at Highland Baptist Church. The grandchildren often heard how their home was the last house within the Monroe city limits to keep a dairy cow, though her older sister, Mary Lou, never let her forget she missed out on milking, Bossy.
Janette was an optimist by nature, always moving forward, always believing in the goodness of people. Her love for others led her to pursue social work as an extension of her desire to do God’s work. She attended Neville High School and later transferring to Ouachita High School, where she graduated. She began her first job as a secretary at Troy and Nichols. When she learned of the great need for social workers in the area and her college path began. She earned her degree from Northeast Louisiana University and later completed her master’s in social work from LSU.
Blessed with boundless energy, needing only five hours of sleep and a ten‑minute nap to recharge, Janette worked tirelessly throughout her life. Her career flourished from case worker to supervisor of nine parishes, she opened the Social Work Undergraduate Program at Grambling State University, then later went on to open the graduate program, and she found her greatest joy as a caseworker helping children in foster care and placing children in adoptive families. Her compassion shaped countless lives.
In 1956, Janette married the love of her life, Weldon Russell. He was different from the city boys, he loved to hunt and fish and together they built a beautiful life. Their daughters, Shalane and Patti, were her greatest joy. She loved taking care of them whether it was taking them fishing, swimming, or on family trips to Florida. Her most favorite role of all was MiMi. She poured her heart into her grandchildren, playing with and caring for the first set from Shalane and Henry and, fifteen years later, embracing the second set from Patti and Tim with the same energy and devotion.
In 1996, she married Max Taunton, Sr. and embraced his family and grandchildren as her own. They loved traveling and enjoyed many trips with friends. She selflessly took care of Max during his failing health and moved in to Arbor Rose and later, to Arbor Lake until his passing in 2011.
Janette loved her Methodist church family, its pastors, and its ministries. Her favorite ministry program was delivering Valentines to nursing home residents. She also loved to support Methodist Children’s Home Christmas party. She served on The Board of MacDonell Children Services. Though she often said her best years were spent in the Methodist church, she remained a Baptist at heart. She loved to share the gospel and ministering to people, she even started a bible study at Arbor Rose Assisted Living.
Her love for people shined through every part of her life planning bridal showers and weddings, staying involved in the lives of friends and family, and offering kindness wherever she went.
Janette is preceded in death by her first husband, Weldon E. Russell; second husband, Max Taunton, Sr.; siblings, Murphy Blackwell, Jr. and wife, Lovie, Ruth Blackwell Stracener and husband, Neil, Anna Blackwell Ryland and husband, Ned, Mary Lou Blackwell Towns and husband, Ferris, and Edwin Blackwell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved daughters, Shalane Rogillio and husband, Henry, and Patti Peacock and husband, Tim; grandchildren, Wren Lewis and husband, Adam, Aaron Rogillio and fiancé, Jessica; Russell Peacock, Thomas Peacock, Jillian Peacock, and Kate Peacock; great grandchildren, Carsyn Rogillio and Allisyn Rogillio; sister-in-law, Annie Joe Blackwell; as well as a host of loved ones and church friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in Janette’s memory to be made to MacDonell Children Services at 8326 E. Main Street Houma, Louisiana 70363.
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