April 17, 1926 – April 23, 2020

Written by Susan Moreton Hobbs Neal.

Janis Moreton Hobbs died peacefully in Camellia Estates Assisted Living in McComb, Mississippi, where she received excellent care for three years. For 91 of her 94 years she lived, and then raised her own family, in the Brookhaven, Mississippi house built by her father, S.E. Moreton.

After graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Janis returned to Brookhaven, the hometown of her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, married Henry Ware Hobbs Jr. and had six children. She was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Climbers Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and her beloved bridge club. A founding member of the Brookhaven Junior Auxiliary, she was its first president.

Admittedly never a domestic goddess, Janis had other passions including all aspects of science, raising horses, exploring nature, and debating philosophical and political issues. Her sharp mind and curious nature made her a thought-provoking conversationalist.  Gifted with an extraordinary memory, she was an exceptional bridge player and a sought-after resource for family history. She passed to her children and grandchildren countless entertaining stories about the Moretons, the Hobbses, the Perkinses and other relatives and friends.

She adored flying airplanes. After earning a pilot’s license when she was a teenager, she became a skilled amateur pilot, winning several cross-country races. One of her fondest memories was dancing with the president of Nicaragua after a first-place landing in Managua. 

Janis’s children and grandchildren happily remember camping with her on the banks of the Homochitto River, searching for arrowheads and beaver dams, and late-night excursions to view stars and comets. Her greatest joy was hosting large boisterous family gatherings in her spacious living room.

Janis was devoted to her family, extended family and many lifelong friends.

Survivors include her children Susan Moreton Hobbs Neal (Drake Maynard), Van Hobbs (Becky Hobbs), Marcie Hobbs Farnsworth (Scott Farnsworth), Allan Hobbs (Janet Hobbs), Lyle Hobbs (Danita Hobbs), and Russell Hobbs, as well as 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.