Janita Joyce (Hart) Hood was born on January 21, 1930 to Thelma (Gigi) and Bronson Emerson in Houston Texas. She received her heavenly reward at the age of 95 on March 18, 2025.

She was an only child and really enjoyed riding in her father's dump trucks whenever he conducted his dirt hauling business. Many years later she met and married Roy Hart, who also worked alongside her parents in this business. They moved to Oklahoma and began raising their children, Roy Hart Junior and Rhonda Hart.

Janita worked at Chief Freight Lines for 30 years before retirement. Her best friend was Jenny Hoffman, who worked with her at Chief and they stayed friends all of their lives.

Widowed at the age of 38, Janita focused on providing a good home and taking excellent care of her two young children. She has always been a strong, independent woman.

A few years later, Janita met and fell in love with Orion Hood. They were married for 33 years before his death in 2004. They enjoyed traveling together. Janita's favorite trip was to Alaska. She always said it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

After retirement Janita perfected her gardening skills and grew the best vegetables and flowers around. She even taught her daughter, Rhonda, how to garden. Years later when she was no longer able to get her hands in the dirt, she enjoyed just riding in the car and looking at all the beautiful flowers. Her little dog, Princess, was her pride and joy and gave her great company in her later years.

Janita loved watching television, especially soap operas and she loved working jigsaw puzzles. She could finish one in a day or two.

She also loved getting pictures of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Over and over again, Janita would scroll through her phone, looking at all those sweet pictures. She would sometimes accidentally call Rhonda in the middle of the night while looking at the pictures she had received via text message. Yes, she is probably the only 95-year-old great-grandmother who knew how to text and who polished her own fingernails.

Janita had a timeless beauty. She always wanted to look her best with a little lipstick on and her hair styled pretty. However, it was more than that. She radiated a unique inner beauty that comes from confidence and wisdom and kindness.

All her life, Janita was thoughtful of others, eager to help anyone in need, and always putting others before herself. Everyone who knew her loved her sweet, positive spirit. She encouraged everyone around.

The past few years she really enjoyed learning and studying the Bible with her daughter, Rhonda, and granddaughter, Brittany, no doubt thinking about the day she would get to see Jesus face to face.

Janita was preceded in death by her husbands, Roy Hart and Orion Hood; as well as her son, Roy Hart Junior. She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Hart Cole and her spouse Keith; granddaughter, Brittany Malone and her spouse Tucker; grandson, Jesse Cole; daughter-in-law, Cindy Hart; grandson, Roy Hart III and his spouse Tracy; granddaughter, Shonda Hart; and six great-grandchildren, Emma Gruber, Caleb Hart, Kara Hart, Briggs Malone, Kallyn Kate Malone, and Banks Malone.

Janita was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Visitation with family present will be Sunday, March 23, 4-6pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service. The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 24, 11:00 a.m. at Mercer-Adams Chapel.