Janet Thornton Whatley, age 87, peacefully entered the presence of the Lord on Jan. 26, 2026. She was born in Lena, Mississippi, to the late Clyde and Bobbie Thornton of Carthage, Mississippi. Mrs. Whatley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Harold Whatley, Jr.; their infant daughter, Lori Patricia Whatley; and her brother, Charles Edward Thornton. She is survived by her son, James Harold Whatley, III (Annette) of Florence, MS; her daughter, Angel Whatley Smith (Brandon) of Oxford, MS; and her brother, Bill Thornton (Alene) of Vicksburg, MS. She is also survived by six grandchildren — Connor Whatley, Austin Whatley, Stratton Smith, Sharpe Smith, Slay Smith, and Desiree (Matt) Morrison — and four greatgrandchildren. Pallbearers will be Stratton Smith, Sharpe Smith, Slay Smith, Connor Whatley, Austin Whatley, and Garrard Arriola.Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Koestler, Joe Lorinc, Calvin Hearn, Marty Tompkins, and George Joy.