Janet was born August 14, 1944 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to Raymond and Wilma Jean (Chastain) Barber. She grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Southeast High School in 1962. She met and married the love of her life, Richard C. “Rick” Esser, Jr. on June 5, 1970. They were married 16 years before he was tragically taken from her on August 20, 1986.
Janet retired from Lucent in 2000. She was very involved in the AT&T Pioneers, a community service organization in which she was a long-time volunteer and a past president.
She will be remembered by her family and friends for her quiet strength, her kindness, her cats, and her love of all things Elvis. Her family, especially her grandchildren, were the loves of her life.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rick Esser; grandparents, John and Helen Chastain; and her parents.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and John Lynch; son, Richie Esser; grandchildren, Vohn Lynch and Parker Lynch; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Jack Brundage, Beth and Glen Hacker; brothers-in-law, Steve and Mary Jean Esser, David and Karen Esser, George Esser, and Ron Esser; her kitties, Gracie and Biscuit; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.