19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned the following quote:

“Death is the chillness that precedes the dawn: we shudder for a moment, then awake in the broad sunshine of the other life.”

On Wednesday March 13th, 2024 Janet Yvonne Newlin Luttrell awoke in the Heavenly sunshine, as she cradled her weary body in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior. In the presence of her husband Phil, and daughter Allyson, holding her hands Janet peacefully succumbed to the ravages of Parkinson’s after waging a courageous battle against the debilitating disease.

Janet did not let the disease destroy her zeal for life. She approached each day with a true sense of optimism. No matter the level of pain, Janet never complained; instead, she gallantly lifted her spirits and darted onward to meet another day.

Despite the almost thirty years that Janet spent battling the disease, she leaves an endearing legacy that embodies the affection she had for her family, friends and her community.

And oh, my! What a legacy it is: a wife, a mother, a sister, a community and civic leader, a beloved leader in the First Baptist Church, and a career that spanned almost 50 years in local banking.

Janet’s career in banking began at the former Shenandoah Valley National Bank, which later joined with First American Bank. Janet ended her career with the Bank of Clarke. Janet’s long career epitomizes the adage, “You start at the bottom and work your way up to the top.” Janet did just that. She started as a teller at Shenandoah Valley National Bank. After many years and several promotions, she was promoted to vice-president and branch manager of the downtown Winchester branch of the Bank of Clarke.

During her career Janet received many awards for banking and community service. She received a scholarship awarded through the Southern Banking Association to the college of her choice. Janet received a certificate from the Virginia School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia. Later she received a certificate from the School of Bank Management at the University of Colorado.

While many legacies are based on achievements, the legacy bestowed upon Janet is wrapped around her character and how she lived her life: service to others and her community, generosity to those who were less fortunate, caring for those in need, devoting her time and talent to First Baptist Church, singing in the choir, and serving as chairperson of the Deacons.

To know Janet, one would have to acknowledge that her passion for service was deep rooted at an early age. In her graduating class at John Handley High School Janet was voted “The Most Vivacious”. Almost every senior in her class signed her yearbook. During her years at Handley, Janet and three of her classmates formed a singing group that performed at local nursing homes and hospitals in Winchester and nearby towns, including the Newton D. Baker Veterans hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Almost every Friday and Saturday night the group would travel to those venues bringing a little joy and happiness to those patients.

As Janet departs this earth for the warm sunshine of Heaven, may her life speak to the following: in Matthew 25, the Lord said, “WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS; I WILL MAKE YOU RULER OVER MANY THINGS.”

Janet leaves behind her husband Phil, their daughter Allyson, Janet’s sister Joyce Newcome and her husband Phil. Janet also leaves many nieces and nephews, other family members and the countless friends established over the years. Janet’s mother and father Paul and Juanita Newlin and stepfather Art Belt preceded her in death.

The journey that Janet travelled over these past few months was paved with love and compassion extended by the nurses, the aides, the volunteers and the doctor of the BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE, and caretakers Carol Foreback and Dawn Edmonds.  The companionship and loving care of Dawn lifted Janet up when she was down. She enjoyed the frequent visits of her loving sister, Joyce Newcome, who also prepared weekly dinners. Above all, the support and prayers of the clergy and the church members of First Baptist Church that made Janet feel secure and that her faith would carry her into the waiting sunshine of her heavenly Father.

A visitation will be on Tuesday from 6 pm to 8 pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.  A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday at 11 am at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.  Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins Whitesides. Interment will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Janet’s family is thankful for all who knew and loved Janet and requests that contributions be made to Blue Ridge Hospice in honor of Janet, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia.