Stay Tuned to This Space for Reunion Details!
How to Post Your Reunion Announcement
VIEW ALL REUNIONS

Class News

Today's Featured Biography

 
Jeanette (Jan) Williams Laws

Attended CTHS Freshman and Sophomore Years
1957 1959
Personal Biography of
Jeanette Marie "Jan"(Williams) Laws
March 5, 2021

Life at the Laws home may not be as exciting as it use to be. Like all of us, I am getting older and probably not as beautiful or as interesting as I use to be, before the aches & pains of retirement sat in. However, I am always thankful for all the many blessings God favors me & my family with, along with all the wonderful people God places in our lives to love, appreciate, respect, and inspire. God is so good to me, all the time, God is so good to me & my family.

My shortcomings during my brief high school years caused me to lose out on precious years & memories, before & after, as I dropped out of school at 16. Instead of completing my education then, I ventured out into a world of many jobs. I worked very hard to fulfill my hopes and dreams, expectations, made & met goals that aspired me to be a better person & attempt to do many good & meaningful things. Despite this, I eventually went back to school, 30 years later, to received my GED & basic studies from Kaskaskia Community College; BA Psychology/Gerontology and Religion from McKendree College; Master of Divinity from Asbury Theology Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky. I changed professions while still being active in our small business, Twin Oaks Golf Club. Being a mother & grandmother, business owner, student, as well as being active in church, school, & community organizations kept me very busy. Pastoral ministry would be my second career for nearly 20 years. I retired from that fulfilling ministry at the end of 2011 in order to help my youngest son take care of his infant son, Hunter William, (named after my father) until Kindergarten.

My life has been full but not yet complete after enjoying, short of, 24 years of being a wife, mother of three, grandmother of 4, small business owner and widow now for soon to be 36 years. Having a wonderful spouse, I never desired to remarry after my beloved husband, David E. Laws, met premature death in a tragic accidental fire at our business, Twin Oaks Golf Club, on April 9, 1985. The worse day of our lives.

In the twinkling of an eye, our lives drastically changed. Thankfully for a loving God, who knows our pain & suffering, gave us strength to carry on. Our support groups kept us going with prayers and encouragement from biological families, our church families and a host of devoted friends & business associations. They rarely ever tired of walking beside us. Along with my faithful God and guardian angels giving us strength to carry on, here we are, here am I at age 78, still trying to make the best out of every situation, the good, the bad, the ugly and all the in-between.

In my Winter years of life now, some call it those "golden years," I may not be as much fun or exciting or interesting to be around but it is all about making the most of my time left here on earth. As I reflect on all the hopes, dreams and goals we (me & God) have accomplished in life, thus far, I know that I am a fulfilled person and blessed by God. Seeing my grown children now experiencing similar situations I once found myself going through, I am assured that they too will make it through as long as they keep their eyes on Jesus and "remember their roots, who they are and where they come from." This is what my father use to tell his 4 children.

I now enjoy the company of my 4 beautiful grandchildren, whenever they are available. They are always the sunshine & highlight of any of my days. Handsome grandson, Jonathan, will turn 34,Sept.2021, married to beautiful woman, Brittany (Webb) who will be 32 in Oct. 2021. Beautiful granddaughter, Amanda, will also turn 32 in Oct. 2021). Mandy married Chase Landers (33) of Salem, IL. Both couples will celebrate their 3 year's wedding anniversaries, in May & August of 2021. No word yet if I will ever become a great grandma anytime soon. Another beautiful granddaughter, Sydney, will turn 14 in March 2021 (8th grade) and enjoys playing basketball like her aunt Kimberly did all through her school and college days. And then, last but not least, my precious, sweet, Hunter, will turn 11 in June of 2021 and completing 4th grade this year. Hunter is my daddy's namesake, James Hunter Williams, and growing up too fast.

As I end my reminiscing of the good old days, may God keep us all in His love and care, good health, & happiness for another year. Peace & Blessings to all of you. Keep on dreaming and setting goals to achieve and then, just do it. We are never too old to keep pressing on. God being our bright and shining guide in life here & beyond. It is my hope & prayer that we may see one another again in the new kingdom of God, not built by human hands but also a place where we never grow old or will ever suffer pain or sorrow anymore. Praise The Lord & Peace be with you!

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES

U.S. Armed Forces

Class Poll

Featured Links

Visit Other Classes