Janice Jakes "J.J." Putnam Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Janice Jakes “J.J.” Putnam, 97, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020 of Parkinson’s at Brookdale Retirement Home in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Janice was born on July 21, 1922 in Edith, Tennessee. Her parents were Dr. Charles Lawson Johnson and Lillie Bessie Johnson. Janice graduated from Tech High School in 1940 and from Memphis State University in 1944. Janice married William Hamilton Jakes, Sr., a naval aviator. Throughout her life, Janice lived in many places, including Rome and Naples, Italy, and New Malden Surrey, a suburb of London, England. Janice and Bill had a son, William Hamilton Jakes, Jr. and a daughter, Donna Jakes Agee. Later in life, Janice married Missouri Circuit Judge John Putnam. Janice was a wonderful wife and always a supportive and loving mother. She worked at Memphis State University for several years before retirement. Janice loved her Memphis home and her southern heritage. Her lovely southern accent and natural charm earned her many great friendships wherever she went. She is truly loved by her family and all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her; father, Charles Lawson Johnson; mother, Lillie Bessie Thompson; brothers, Charles L. Johnson, Jr., Donald T. Johnson; sister, Evelyn Nell Johnson; first husband, William Hamilton Jakes, Sr.; a son, William Hamilton Jakes, Jr.; second husband, John Arthur Putnam; and step-daughter, Jana Putnam. Mrs. Putnam is survived by; her daughter, Donna Jakes Agee; four grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn Jakes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bryan William Jakes of Houston Texas; Michael Hart Hanson of Denver, Colorado; and Kevin Peyton Hanson and his wife Pamela Griswold Hanson of Seattle, Washington; a great-grandson, Miles Bartram Hanson of Seattle, Washington; a step-daughter, Sherry Sachritz of Memphis, Tennessee; a niece and two nephews, Don Johnson of Mesa, Arizona, Barbara Johnson Stuart of Las Vegas, Nevada and Robert Walter Johnson of Scottsdale, Arizona. Given the current national conditions and the family’s concern for the health and well-being of others, Mrs. Putnam will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, following a private Celebration of Life service at Memorial Park Cemetery on May 4, 2020.

Janice Jakes "J.J." Putnam

July 21, 1922 - April 20, 2020