Obituary of Jeanette Menard

Francis Jeanette (Tharp) Menard, 94, passed away Monday morning, November 15, 2021 at home in rural Doniphan, Missouri. She was born on October 12, 1927 to James and Mattie Estelle (Hughes) Tharp in Nady, Arkansas. She was married to Don C. Menard on October 29, 1944, near Tichnor, Arkansas. Don preceded her in death in 2011. In 1952, the family moved from Arkansas to Indiana for better employment and to start a new life. Together they raised 5 children. Jeanette, as she was known, was a very strong Christian woman who many would call a prayer warrior for her family, various churches, and her community. She was an avid reader of the scriptures which was part of her daily life. Jeanette was a wonderful homemaker and provided well for her family through her beautiful gardening skills and harvesting the food to preserve so there was always food on the table. She was a wonderful cook and loved cooking for her family. She was known for her wonderful homemade bread which she made weekly. They hardly ever bought bread from the store as the homemade was the best. Jeanette was also a wonderful seamstress. She made all of her own clothes, made Wedding dresses, her own curtains for the home, crocheted tablecloths, quilted blankets, along with upholstering her own furniture when needed. She was the matriarch of the family and was looked highly upon for her faith in God and her willingness to pray anytime she was asked to do so. Her legacy will live on for many generations for her steadfast faith in God and her humble personality. After retirement, she and Don decided they wanted to move to a warmer climate and found a 40 acre tract of wooded land, a pasture, a pond, and a nice home that seemed to fit their needs. They moved to Doniphan in 1990 and loved their life in this community. Don and Jeanette attended New Hope Baptist Church for a few years, then in recent years after Don’s passing, Jeanette started attending the Naylor Pentecostal Church where she felt at home. She is survived by a son, Orville Rex (Marilyn) Menard of Doniphan, Missouri. A daughter, Melody (Bob) Andersen of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and a daughter, E. Paulette (Bob) Stubbs, of Westfield, Indiana. She was preceded in death by two sons, Lyle Allen Menard and William Lafayette Menard, as well as a granddaughter, Mia (Menard) Neugent Riley. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by brothers Paul A.Tharp and Russell Tharp. She is also survived by siblings Rev. James W. Tharp of Bozeman, Montana; Anniece Shelburne of Westfield, Indiana, Burl Tharp of Kirklin, Indiana, Carroll Tharp of Lawrensville, Va., Joe Tharp of Frankfort, Indiana, Shirley Abraham of Bardstown, Ky. and Martha Beecher of Davison, Michigan. Funeral services will be held at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Missouri on Friday, November 19, 2021. Visitation will take place at 1:30 with the service at 2:30. Burial will take place at the New Hope Baptist Cemetery.