Janet was born the daughter of Wilmer and Elsie Spalding Coulter in Macon, Illinois on January 13, 1934. The second of six children, she attended Decatur public schools and married Delbert R. Smith on April 29, 1950. While raising her two daughters Wendy and Kim, she worked for more than 30 years at the Art Mart and became an accomplished local artist, invited to several shows around the Midwest. Known for her watercolors and paper sculptures, her works are bright and lively, much like herself.

She was preceded by her husband of 46 years, Delbert R. Smith of Urbana, Illinois and her sisters Rosemary Dame of Jacksonville, Illinois and Martha Nalefski of Decatur, Illinois. She is survived by her brothers Noel Coulter of The Villages, Florida, Barton Coulter of Southgate, Michigan, and her sister Nancy Shearer of Mowequa, Illinois; her daughters Wendy Smith French (Jim French) and Kim L. Smith (David Skadden) of Urbana, Illinois; her grandchildren Benjamin French (Susan Metosky) of Chandler, AZ, Susannah French of Bloomington, IN, Elizabeth French of Madison, WI, Will Skadden of Honolulu, HI, and Spencer Skadden of Urbana; her great-grandchild Justin French of Chandler, AZ; and her loving friend Daryl Sweeney of Champaign, Illinois.

She leaves her friends and family a legacy of warmth, laughter, wit and love. Her gentle and non-judgmental nature inspired us all.

Graveside services will be privately held. An open house celebration of her life will be held at the family residence from 1:00-4:00 pm on her birthday, January 13, with all friends and family welcome. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Carle Hospice, 206-A Anthony Drive, Champaign, Ill.