OBITUARY
JANIE RUTH LYMAN
of Haskell, Arkansas
AUGUST 11, 1947 – JULY 29, 2026
Janie Ruth Lyman,78, grew tired of everyone’s nonsense and retired from living at the age of “old as dirt” according to her on July 29, 2026. She didn’t look a day over 75. Janie may have lost her memory, but she never lost her sass.
She was an avid collector of questionable fashion choices, awkward Olan Mills portraits, murder mystery books, and furniture dust. Janie was born on August 11, 1947 in Haskell, Arkansas to the late Joe and Antonia Bernadine Lyman.
She graduated in 1965 from Harmony Grove in Haskell. That same year she was awarded Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. It was a written test. She passed down her zero cooking skills, quick one-liners, sarcasm, and emotional food eating coping mechanisms to her daughter Gina. Cake could solve all problems. It’s too bad Gina has a gluten allergy.
Janie’s best recipe as a single mom was a set of car keys and a $20 bill. Back in the day that was enough to feed two people. They were well known at all the eating establishments on Geyer Springs. McDonald’s fries cooked in lard are still missed to this day. The recipe changed in 1990 leaving eternal emotional scars.
After graduation, a year of college, and running off to Texas; she got married in 1967. Housewifery was quite the challenge, as Janie seemed to channel the spirit of Lucy Ricardo in most things she attempted. Hanging up a decorative net on the wall using a shotgun shell as a hammer was not one of her finest moments.
Late December the following year, her husband was drafted to Vietnam. He was away during Janie’s pregnancy and so she returned to Haskell temporarily. He hoped Gina would be born on his birthday. The birth was scheduled 4 days after his birthday because Janie’s favorite house coat was still at the cleaners. Priorities… Sadly, the marriage didn’t work and she returned to Arkansas permanently in 1973.
Janie had a long career in single mom-ness and accounting. She was loved by her coworkers everywhere she worked. It was common for her personal life to merge with her business life. Gina spent many Saturdays at the office playing with Barbies. Janie showed her how to file, collate papers, and use a calculator at a young age. Was it bonding or free child labor?
Several years before retirement, Janie became the first female Mayor of Haskell in 2015. She was very proud of this achievement and considered herself to be the eye candy of City Hall. She had no problem letting others know. Her daughter was the victim of secondhand embarrassment on several occasions when Janie would bring up this point out in public.
Janie is preceded in death by her daughter Lori Denise Jones and her parents Joe and Antonia Bernadine Lyman.
Janie is survived by the love of her life Pancho Lyman, her 13-year-old grumpy Chihuahua; coming in a distant second, daughter Gina (Rick) Poole of Alexander; grandson Daegan Haller of Houston, Texas (and really the close second to Pancho); her bonus son Artie Green of Alexander; her granddaughters, Jessica Poole and Karena Martinez of Alexander; her bonus grandson An Nguyen of Houston, Texas; her great grandchildren, Chris, Hailie, Landon, and Damion Poole; her sister Martha (Dale) Campbell of Bryant; and her brothers Joey (Diane) Lyman and David (Susan) Lyman of Haskell.
A special deeply heartfelt gratitude goes out to her close friend Lisa Harris of Bauxite, who spent many days every week hanging out, sharing fattening food, watching TV, and slipping Pancho forbidden snacks. Lisa made her final days less lonely and gave her a break from dealing with Gina.
The family would also like to thank the team at Hospice Home Care-Bryant for all the love and care given to Janie; especially her nurse Margo and nursing assistant Anna. We would have been lost without their guidance and loving care.
Janie didn’t want a visitation or service. She considered it a waste of pantyhose, makeup, and gasoline. May her legacy of laughter, silliness, and shenanigans never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed.
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