Janell Anthony Hunter, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 23, 2025. Janell was born Aug. 17, 1940 in Burkeville, Texas and lived in Negreet. She was the third of six children of Clyde Elias Anthony and Ruby Miller Anthony.
Janell graduated from Negreet High School in 1958 and went on to attend Northwestern State University. She majored in Home Economics and received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 1961.
Later, in 1973 she received a Master of Science of Secondary Education and then in 1980 a Master of Early Childhood Education +30.
While at Northwestern State she met her future husband, Wiley Edwin Hunter. They married on Oct. 29, 1960.
After living in Covington, Louisiana and Franklin, Louisiana for a number of years, Janell and Ed moved their young family to Natchitoches, Louisiana.
It was there that they raised their boys, Wiley Edwin Jr. (Eddie) and Jeffrey Leslie (Jeff).
Janell taught high school for a brief period during her career but it was the young children who captured her heart. She taught kindergarten at Parks Elementary in Natchitoches for over 30 years. After she retired, she continued to contribute to the educational community by observing and mentoring classroom teachers.
Janell enjoyed a variety of hobbies. She accompanied Eddie and Jeff to 4-H activities. She loved gardening, especially growing day lilies. She enjoyed antiquing and exploring estate sales with her dear friend Bobbye Nell Ellis. She also passed the time by walking countless miles with Shirley Dunagan, another dear friend. She was a patron of the local library and enjoyed reading in her spare time.
In 2002, she and Ed moved to the Hunter Family Farm in Martin, Louisiana. She planted countless day lilies and created beautiful flower gardens around the house.
The joys of her life were her four grandchildren. Their interests and hobbies became her top priorities. She attended countless horse shows, soccer games and school activities.
Janell was preceded in death by her parents Clyde Elias Anthony and Ruby Miller Anthony; her sister Beverly Carter; and her brothers Bobby Anthony and Clyde Anthony Jr.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ed Hunter, sons Ed Hunter Jr. (Korey) and Jeff Hunter (Lisa); her beloved grandchildren Courtney Hunter Hanberry (Jordan), Anna Claire Hunter Vocque (Taylor), Emily Hunter Allaman (Alessandro), and William (Will) Hunter, and her sisters Janice Anthony and Lina Alford(Dan).
The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Willis Doyle and her team of caregivers for the compassionate care and support, as well as to Hospice of Natchitoches.
A visitation was at Martin Baptist Church on Feb.. 25, from 9-10:45 a.m. with the funeral service immediately following at 11. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).