Janet Lynn Fenner Grace

Janet Lynn Fenner Grace — a devoted wife, mother, and cherished friend, passed away on September 4, 2026. Janet was born on June 22, 1957, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her family later settled in Shreveport, where she spent many summers in Oil City with her grandparents. She went on to attend LSU, where she met her future husband, Bob Grace. The love, warmth, and mutual admiration that Bob and Janet enjoyed during their almost four decades of marriage made everything else possible.

 Janet built a successful career as a CPA and together, Bob and Janet created a wonderful life, welcoming twin daughters, Caroline and Elizabeth, followed two years later by their son, Michael. Janet’s children were the heart and soul of her life. Janet was special – whip smart, tender, funny and profoundly strong. She met the joys and challenges that life presented to her with unwavering devotion, patience, courage, and grace. She cared deeply, laughed easily, and loved her friends and family for exactly who they were. To be loved by Janet was to know that you always had someone in your corner – and not just anyone, but someone unfailingly honest, steadfast, and loyal.

 Janet treasured her friends, whether from her adolescence and college years or the ones she made everywhere she went, including at University United Methodist Church, where she grew in her faith and the Baton Rouge Duplicate Bridge Club, where her competitive spirit thrived. Janet cherished her annual beach trip with a special group of ladies. Janet never shied from competition, whether it was bridge, late night card games at the beach, or keeping the squirrels from raiding her fig tree, she faced all challenges head on. 

A lifetime voracious reader, Janet also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and dominating any challenger in Trivial Pursuit. Janet’s cooking and hosting were legendary. Everything she made was exceptional but especially beloved favorites included her chicken fricassee, cornbread dressing, oven roast, honey pecan chicken, smoked beef tenderloin, and hot water cornbread. Anyone lucky enough to have eaten any of her meals knows what a gift she had and that she loved nothing more than to share it. 

Janet’s beautiful spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who was lucky enough to know her and feel the glow of being known and loved by her. 

Janet was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn Norman Fenner; her father, Robert DeWayne Fenner; her stepmother, Ruth Fenner; stepbrother, James “Jimmy” Shaver; and loving grandparents, Hubert and Ruth Fenner, and Alvin & Alice Norman.

 She is survived by her beloved husband, Bob Grace; her children, Caroline Capps (John), Elizabeth Bandera (Jeff), and Michael Grace; her Aunt Priscilla; her brothers and sister, Gary Fenner, Keith Fenner (Kayla), Alan Fenner, Bob Shaver (Linda), Chuck Shaver, and Malancy Rosenzweig (Mike); as well as many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews.

 Janet received and cherished every note of support over the last few years with sincere gratitude. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Denise, Janet, Kathy, Mona, Barbara, Mendi, Bettie, Kay, Dr. Minsky, and the wonderful staff in the Butterfly Wing.

 Janet’s wishes were for a private family ceremony followed by a celebration of life (details to follow).

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Neuromuscular Disease Foundation or plant your favorite tree in her honor.