Janis Kight

March 10, 2022

Janis Kight of Frankfort passed peacefully in her sleep at her home the morning of March 10, 2022. Born on December 1, 1932, she was the second of seven children to Kenneth and Mercedes (Campbell) Smith.  Mom experienced a lifetime of 88 summers which were not nearly enough for her four children, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Mom truly loved all her family. But in her own way, she had a priority order that we all humorously accepted. First in line were her great-grandchildren and grandchildren followed by her siblings. Next were her beloved parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Then came her children and their current spouses.

Mom was in her element when recalling details of happy times spent long ago with family and friends, including summers with Cousin Patra on their grandparents’ farm near Clarks Hill; her nomadic Smith family life with so many siblings; her school days (and dear friends from then to today such as Colleen Young and Judy Kirkpatrick McKinney); and every one of the more than 25 different places she lived during her life (all but one in Clinton County). She often said her favorite home was the Dick and Joan Carter farmstead on the Manson-Colfax blacktop. There she could shoo her children outside to play amongst the fields and barns whenever As the World Turns, The Guiding Light and Search for Tomorrow soap operas came on TV—and where she taught herself how to preserve awesome crabapple and strawberry jellies and delicious bread-and-butter pickles.

Such touchstones from her past kept her memory sharp and engaging with anyone who asked. True to her conservative nature, she was especially proud saying that a drop of alcohol never touched her lips. No one ever told her that the company holiday party oranges she raved about were infused with vodka or the glass of ‘Mom, it’s just grape juice’ she drank at weddings was really a nice Chardonnay.

Janis retired from Federal Mogul in Frankfort after serving over 30 years.

Her children especially want to thank the kindness and generosity of our Great(est) Aunt Zuddie Redman and Great(est) Uncle Bill Campbell who meant so very much to Mom and to us.

Memorial Donations may be made in Janis’s honor to the Autism Society of Indiana, 1800 N. Meridian St. #103B, Indianapolis, IN  46202 or the Downs Syndrome Association Northwest Indiana, 2167 Indianapolis Blvd, Shererville, IN  46375.  Archer-Weston Funeral & Cremation Center is honored to assist the Ms. Kight’s family.  Please visit archerweston.com where you may leave a condolence or share a memory with Janis’s family.

Visitation and Services

Respecting her wishes, no funeral services will be held. If her children can ever decide on a date and place, a celebration of Mom’s life will happen when it is warm outside, without Covid restrictions and you will be invited. Her children will prepare and share Mom’s famous recipes for hard-as-hockey-puck hamburgers covered with DelMonte Catsup between slices of Wonder Bread; cold pork-and-beans direct from the can; thin chili soup with way too much macaroni; ham salad made of ground bologna, her pickles, and a dash of peanut butter; overcooked green beans garnished with one tiny strip of boiled bacon served in Mom’s yellow Fiestaware dish; gawd-awful instant coffee; diabetes-inducing sweet tea; and her indescribably delicious chocolate Texas sheet cake. If you come, what dishes will you bring and stories will you share? 

Survived by:

She is survived by her children: Greg (Becky) Finch of Carmel; Dianne (Richard) Golder of Lafayette; KC Cupp and Suzy Morgan, both of Frankfort. Also surviving are her grandchildren in order of arrival: Tanisha Ramos; Eric Cupp; Raymond Golder; Josh Golder; John (Haley) Finch; Nicholas (Taylor) Golder; Brenton (Samantha) Morgan; Kyle (Stephanie) Cupp; Traci Cupp; and great grandchildren Olivia, Owen, Teagan, Weylyn, Natalia, Kaden, JoJo, Adley, Addilyn, and Zoë. Three of Mom’s wonderful sisters also survive: Karen Boggs and Jill (Jack) Allen of Lebanon, Indiana and Perrine (Fred) Pulis of Virginia. Also surviving is dear sister-in-law Rose Smith of Texas and amazing brother-in-law L.D. Baird of Oklahoma.

Preceded by:

Preceding Mom’s passing were her parents and sisters Marianne Babbs and Kaye Baird and little brother Phil Smith.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

15 Condolences for “Janis Kight”

  1. Penny Boots March 12, 2022 at 7:18 pm

    Very sad to see of Janis’ passing. She was a lot of fun as a friend and co-worker. I don’t think there was anyone she didn’t know. She truly loved her family. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.

  2. Nicolas Golder March 12, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    To My Beautiful Grandma Jan;
    You were the strongest women I have ever known and would always speak your mind and put everyone before yourself. My best summer and weekend memories were visiting you and especially when you would let me finish the last sips of your coffee in the mornings after Regis and Kelly. I adored every grandparent day you drove the 70 miles to my school and I would get to show off my beautiful grandma Jan and show everyone else just what was so beautiful about you. I loved everything you cooked for the family. I especially would look forward to your fried green tomatoes, pickles and anything that was prepared in that dangerous pressure cooker that we had to stay away from when it was in use. If we could all learn from you we would be more selfless , caring and genuine. You will always be my beautiful grandma Jan and you were just as beautiful on the inside as you were on the outside.

    • Tanisha Ramos March 14, 2022 at 8:21 am

      This is BEAUTIFUL Nicolas! You are spot on right here!!! She loved you and was so very proud of you.

  3. Richard Golder March 12, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    I had the privilege of being Janis’s son-in-law for 42 years and 10 days. She truly was an exceptional lady and was always a joy to be around. I have nothing but fond memories of her and loved her dearly. She was the very best Mother-In-Law you could ask for, I will miss her every day.

  4. Rhonda Dale March 12, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    Suzie, so sorry for the loss of your Mom, you was blessed for having her for that many years. Prayers for you and your family for a strong Mother that she was.

  5. Joycesimpson March 13, 2022 at 1:39 am

    Sorry for the loss of your Mom really enjoyed working with her may prayers and hugs be with all of you

  6. Exie Pence March 13, 2022 at 7:25 am

    Suzy I am sorry to her about your Mom, It was always fun working with your Mom on the Assembly line at FM.

  7. April March 13, 2022 at 10:32 am

    My heart hurts for my best friend and her family… I love you Tanisha and thought of grandma Jan as family!! I love you all ❤️❤️

    • Tanisha Ramos March 14, 2022 at 8:22 am

      She loved you and your kids and thought of you as her granddaughter just as much as all of us! Thank you for loving her!

  8. Susan Miley Mills March 13, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    Greg & Family….So sorry for your loss. Susan Miley Mills

  9. Tracy Baker March 13, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    So sorry to hear of the families loss. She had to be a wonderful mother to raise such caring children. I love the obituary. I feel like I knew her all of my life.

    • Greg Finch April 7, 2022 at 8:20 am

      Thanks, Tracy. Our parents were cut from the same bolt of cloth, born during the Depression, high school in the early 50’s, and then, us.

  10. Tanisha Ramos March 14, 2022 at 8:26 am

    I will miss you everyday for the rest of my life grandma. You were a mother to me more than a grandmother. I will be forever grateful that you were always there for me no matter what. Lots of times I didn’t deserve you but you never gave up on me. You will always be with me grandma. I am honored that I got to be by your side and hold your hand when you got called home! You were my guardian angel on earth and now in Heaven! I love you!

  11. Terri L Dean April 4, 2022 at 10:14 am

    Suzy & Family, I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mother. She was great lady, Always had a kind word for me at Mogal. You are all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏 ❤️. Cherish the memories of a great Mother

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