Janet Cole Havard Dillard

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 23, 2016

June 16, 1962 – Dec. 21, 2016

NATCHEZ — A memorial mass for Janet Cole Havard Dillard, 54, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at her residence, will be 2 p.m. today at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating. 
Visitation will be from noon until service time today at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Janet was born June 16, 1962, in Natchez, the daughter of James J. Cole and Ruth Scudamore Cole.
She married Johnny Havard in August of 1982, they had two daughters, Meggie and Selah Havard, before she widowed in August 1985.
Janet married Daniel Dillard in August 1989, and they had two children, Pate and Abby Dillard.
She was a beloved teacher at Cathedral School for more than 15 years. As a mother of four, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and touched the lives of countless students in her many years of education. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Janet enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that held the trust and hearts of many by her constant nurturing, love and faith.
Mrs. Dillard was preceded in death by her father; her first husband; her beloved aunt, Kathy Mallory; and one grandson, Fisher Thompson.
Survivors include her mother; her husband, Daniel; four children, Meggie Thompson and husband, Greg, of Natchez, Selah Bideau and husband, Julien, of Charlotte, N.C., Pate Dillard and Abby Dillard, both of Natchez; three grandchildren, John Clifton Thompson, Tucker Thompson and Luke Bideau; five siblings, Cathy Havens and husband, Joey, of Ridgeland, Jay Cole and wife, Wendy, of Jackson, Edie Corrigan and husband, Eustis, of Memphis, Tenn., Kris Cole and wife, Racheal, of Ridgeland and Ryan Cole and wife, Jessica, of Jackson; 18 nieces and nephews, Haley Porter, Rigby Harveston, Patrick Cole, Parker Cole, Eustis Corrigan, Leighton Corrigan, Spencer Corrigan, Hayes Corrigan, Bailey Cole, Riley Cole, Clare Cole, Bella Cole, Harrison Cole, Morgan Leigh, George Bunch, Weston Watts, Mackenzie Watts and Brandon Dillard; two uncles, Robert Scudamore and Billy Cole; one aunt, Kate Cole; one brother-in-law, Henry Watts and wife, Kirby; and her very best friend, Lucy Little.
Pallbearers will be Jay Cole, Kris Cole, Ryan Cole, Pate Dillard, Greg Thompson, Julien Bideau, John Clifton Thompson and Andrew Little.
Honorary pallbearers will be brothers-in-law and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral Development Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.