Janette Livingston French, 83, of Fort Ogden, FL, died June 5, 2002, with her family by her side at her home in Fort Ogden, following a short illness. Janette was born Nov. 2, 1918, in Fort Ogden. Her parents were Annie Daughtrey and Edward Tippins and she was the granchild of DeSoto County pioneers, Rebecca Williams and John Daughtrey. She attended DeSoto County schools and lived here her entire life. She was employed in the citrus industry, first in a packing house with her father and later with her husband in their own citrus business. Janette was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was always active in her community and church. She was an avid fisherman who enjoyed a lot of time in Englewood on the beach. She loved gardening and flowers and doing crochet and embroidery. She saw the beauty of God's grace in every day and thoroughly enjoyed her life with her family and friends, giving and helping wherever she could. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden, the Fort Ogden Civic Club, DeSoto County Historical Society and the Fort Ogden Cemetery Comittee.
She is survived by her devoted children, Barbara (Harold) Thomas of Fort Ogden, Betty Walters and Lorna (George) Kron, both of Fort Myers, FL, Morton "Jimmie" (Carole) Livingston of Fort Ogden, Robert (Delaray) French, Dianne (Charles) Kulp and Jadene (Joe) Jackerson, all of Orlando, FL; a brother, Carl Tippins of Tampa, FL; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Morton Livingston and Milton French; her youngest son, Richard Livingston; her brother, Claxton Tippins; and sister, Cassie Walker Artis.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 8, at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia, FL. Funeral Services will be at 3 p.m. June 9,  at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia, with the Rev. Wayne Earnest officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Ogden Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to any favorite charity in her name. Donations may also be sent to Fort Ogden Baptist Church, PO Box 157, Fort Ogden, FL 34267; Spay-Lee (Save Cats), PO Box 6577, Fort Myers, FL 33911; or DeSoto County Historical Society, PO Box 1824, Arcadia, FL 34265. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.