Janet Hurst Hutchings

Janet Hurst Hutchings passed away on July 16, 2025, at Emory University Hospital from an aggressive form of leukemia, surrounded by a loving family. We take comfort from the promise that she will rise in glory according to the promises of her Lord and Savior. She was born here on October 4, 1950, and graduated from Thomasville High School, where she sang with the girls' quartet that competed at state competitions.

She began working at Muller and Reynolds, a OB-GYN practice where she quickly distinguished herself as someone with extraordinary gifts. With some college and continuing education, she rose to the position of Clinical Director at The Shaw Center for Women under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Reed – all while lovingly caring for her husband and children. During this time, she was an active member of the Junior Service League, worked in PTA, Band Boosters, Music and Drama Troupe, and any activity supporting our children. She was a strong, proud woman who gave of herself freely. A talented cook, flower arranger, and gardener. She sang in the choir of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, served on the Altar Guild, and was a board member of the Day School, participating in many support activities, including helping feed teachers and children at Thanksgiving, working at fundraisers, and serving on the vestry. She volunteered for every need she could at our church. She led her team of volunteers at the St. Thomas and Good Shepherd feeding programs. She and her beloved sister-in-law Susan made quite a team.

She had character and class, and as her son said, “she made everything better.”

Her adoring husband of 53 years said, “Of course she was beautiful and smart, but she was so much more. She was stubborn, slow to anger, but made me a better person. She was fun and funny, and we just enjoyed one another. We had a wonderful life together. We will live on to carry on the traditions important to her.”

She is survived by her husband, David Buzzy Hutchings; son, David “Hutty” Hutchings and wife Are’ Hutchings; three adored grandchildren, Hannah Grace, Julia, and Jake. Sisters Dianne Scoggins (JR), Beverly Cox (Bill), sister-in-law Susan Jobson (Randy), brother David Hurst; wonderful nieces and nephews, cousins; Angela Hutchings, mother of our grandchildren; her wonderful Priests Wallace Marsh, Rick Buechner, Deacon Scott Mithen; fellow choir members and church family.

She was preceded in death by her adored daughter, Laura; her parents, Margaret Hurst and Milton Hurst; her sister Jean Nixon; and her mother-in-law, Lanny and David Papa Hutchings.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 19th, 2025. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately after the service to speak to the family. A private ceremony will be held by the family at the Hutching plot in Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church.