Janet Kay Glidewell, 83, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on January 9, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born to Paul and Eva Deaver on September 12, 1942, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Later, the family moved to Lubbock, Texas, where she spent her teen years. It was there while working at a local theater that she met a moviegoer who would become the love of her life, Forest Wayne Glidewell. They married on October 16, 1957, in Lubbock, and moved the family to Amarillo in 1960.
A dedicated mother, grandmother, and homemaker. During her career, she served as the Director of Housekeeping for the Hilton Inn and was an Avon and Shaklee representative for many years. Her hobbies included loving and caring for her grandchildren. She spent many years devoted to them and took great care whenever their parents needed assistance or a babysitter. She loved to work in her yard and was a lady with a green thumb. She was an excellent seamstress, making choir and prom dresses for her daughters and repairing kids’ clothes.
She also liked to play Solitaire, she loved to play music, and she always loved to dance. Her children say their parents would put them to bed, and then they would dance to their old music in the living room. She loved to drive cars and go on long trips. She would ride a motorcycle with curlers in her hair to pick up the kids for lunch and then take them back to school.
She was always looking to help strangers in need, even taking them into her home if required.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Betty Johnson, Ann Reed, Shirley Higgins, Janice Brooks, Connie Manley, and twin sister Gay, as well as her brothers, Paul Deaver and Ronnie Deaver.
Those left to cherish her memories are her husband and her children, Tammy Flanagan and husband Leo of Amarillo, Rhonda Fisher and husband Mark of Lubbock, Steve Glidewell and wife Cherene of Amarillo, Trina Berger of Amarillo, and Lori Boyd of Amarillo. She is also survived by a sister, Nancy Mathis of Olton, and 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral Home, 3707 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, Texas.
As her oldest granddaughter, I will always cherish the special bond we shared. She called me ‘Poo,’ and every night she sent me a good‑night text without fail. Those messages were her way of reminding me I was loved, no matter how busy life got. She loved ending her messages with kiss and angel emojis. She adored the Winnie the Pooh GIPHYs I sent her and the videos of my granddaughter, Eden, whom she affectionately called ‘Little Miss America.’ She always told me to give Eden lots of hugs and kisses for her. These small moments and little rituals are the memories I’ll carry with me forever. She was the person who could make me feel okay again, even when everything else felt impossible. I am going to miss her so much!
From the memories as a young kid, staying the night at the Route 66 RV park just so we could swim and ride Uncle Steve’s motorcycle , to staying a bit longer at the family Christmas party, because I wanted to stay at Uncle Steve’s house to play more pool and you and grandpa offered to take me home because mom was ready to go. I would stay up all night on her computer, and she would make me breakfast in the morning. She always had an infinite supply of diet cokes. I can’t think of a bad time I had with my grandma Kay and I don’t think anyone else can either. She was the light to anyone’s darkness and the world to her whole family. I’ll always be your Kipper and we all will miss you forever grandma.
My Sweet Mommy and Best Friend I know we talked about you leaving but we made a Promise to make it to 90..God had better plans so I won’t be selfish so I’ll let enjoy your loved ones in Heaven but don’t wear them out I need some time when I get there..I can’t wait to hold you and dance again..Everyone here are hurting but with the good memories you left we will live on and will never forget you..I drive to all the houses we grew up in and it brings all the pictures in my mind of me rhonda Steve trina and Lori running around happy and playing..I will always keep your memories going Mommy..Until I see you again Rest peace Please give Grandma a hug for me..
Aunt Kay,
I’ll treasure the memories of my childhood when she and Uncle Wayne would come to our house, 3 doors down to visit. We always had a great time with y’all. I remember when we went to Wonderland amusement park in the Summer of 60.