Janet E. Alliston Saucier

Our family lost a pillar on Saturday, September 28, 2024, when Mrs. Janet Elaine Alliston Saucier met her Savior face to face.  

Having first been diagnosed with cancer in 2010 Janet’s strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her for almost 14 years. Her contributions to the lives of many include her extensive work as a home health and hospice nurse, cosmetologist, worship/choir director, Sunday school teacher, and many hours of encouragement and care to seniors at the local senior center. She was a graduate of Harrison Central High School (1966), Chris’ Beauty College (1979) and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (1994). 

Janet was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, on November 26, 1948, to John and Edwina Alliston. She lived a fulfilling life as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother “Neena”, great-grandmother “Big Neena” and friend. She loved painting, crafts, Publisher’s Clearing House, watching the grandkids play sports, NFL and college football, game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, flower gardening, singing in church with her sisters and her daughters, writing and directing children’s plays, and listening to Southern gospel music. One of her most cherished pastimes was singing with the extended family in her mother and father’s living room at Christmas. Her home was a home of welcome, acceptance, and love where she lived out her life as a “momma” and “Neena” to many. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith.

 Janet is survived by her husband of 57 years, Mr. Larry “Bud” Saucier, and her children, Stacey Barefoot (Don), Rachel Davis (Curtis), Larry Saucier (Jennifer), and Shellie Fayard (Derek). Also left to cherish Neena’s memory are 17 grandchildren, Morgan Barefoot Luke, Amanda Barefoot Lee (Kaleb), Hallie Barefoot, Matthew Davis, Taylor Fayard Cain (Russ), Donald Barefoot, Jr. (Sierra), Levi Davis, Madelyn Saucier, Cole Fayard, Annalise Davis, Bailey Fayard, Hattie Davis, Eleanor Saucier, Cassidy Fayard, Emily Davis, Logan Barefoot, and Charlotte Saucier, and 5 great-grandchildren, Michael Stewart, Grady Lee, Harper Luke, Lexie Sprunger, and Atlas Barefoot. Additionally she is survived by her brother, Edwin Alliston and sisters, Sharon Sumrall (Mike) and Naomi Cobb (Cleve). Way too many to name are those who came through her home whose lives she touched making each one of them a “part of the family.”

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. John Alliston II, brothers, Cecil Alliston and John Alliston III, and two grandchildren, Joshua Davis and Austin Fayard. 

A celebration of life will be held at Chosen Generation Church, 22399 Hwy 49, Saucier, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm with friends invited to call beginning at 12 noon. Interment will take place at Rouse Cemetery, Saucier, immediately following the celebration of life. 

 The grandsons and great grandsons will serve as Neena’s pallbearers.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many people to name individually, but including many family and friends – either through prayer and/or visits, neighbors, and even random acts of kindness through total “strangers”.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family