Janette Hughes Gudgell

Janette Hughes Gudgell, age 91, gained her heavenly wings on July 18, 2026. Janette was a beloved lady that embodied the best qualities: unconditional love, strength of spiritual belief, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her love for her family and friends. Her life motto was always that I can do this and tomorrow will be better. She was born in Carlisle, Kentucky on May 14, 1935, as the daughter of Robert and Pansy Stone Hughes. A proud graduate of Carlisle High School in 1953 where she was a Musketeer Cheerleader, band member and the #1 dance partner at many events at Millersburg Military Institute. She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Carlisle where she was part of the cradle roll from 1937, and her love of this church and her church family remains a huge part of her heart. Her soprano voice from the choir could shake the stained-glass windows. Her employment throughout her life always centered around serving others-from her start as a nurse’s aide at the Nicholas County Hospital, social worker for the Nicholas County Health Care System and then the majority of her career serving the students and staff of the Nicholas County School District as a teacher’s aid for Kindergarten and a friendly member of the cafeteria staff at both the Nicholas County Elementary School and the Nicholas County High School, and a staff and camper favorite during the summers at the cafeteria of the Nicholas County 4-H Center. Her hobbies included playing the piano by ear (she never used sheet music), painting, jig-saw puzzles, raising flowers and flower arrangements, singing all types of music-except jazz, and spending time with family and friends. She had a spiritual love for nature and was a pet whisperer when it came to her family’s pets or any stray that may have crossed her path. She was an avid bird lover and could identify every flower and tree. She was proceeded in death by her son, Charles Melvin Gudgell, and her siblings, Roberta Hughes, James Hughes, Bobby ‘Cotton’ Hughes and her twin sister-Annette Flora and nephews Tomothy Fooks, Brucie Hughes and Wesley Thomas and a special friend, Charles E. Wilson. Her history will be preserved by her loving survivors that will continue to live out her desire to always put family first and believe that the next day will be better, which includes her daughter Suzanne ( Jeff) Reed, Grandchildren-Amber ( Andy) Mayhan, Cody ( Kayla) Reed, Caleb Reed (Brittany Layne), and great grandchildren-Skylar Elizabeth Reed, Reese Jagger Mayhan, Layla Ann Reed and Connor Dean Reed and nieces and nephews- Debbie Thomas, Mark (Mindy) Thomas and Gary (Evelyn) Hughes and their extended families and a very special bonus daughter-Deanna Smoot. There will be a visitation on Saturday July 25, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Carlisle beginning at 11 am followed by a Celebration of her Life at 1 pm, with burial in the Carlisle Cemetery. Flowers always made her happy, but she loved her church and she loved all animals, so memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Carlisle or to any animal shelter should be considered. Carlisle-Clark Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Janette Hughes Gudgell

May 14, 1935 - July 18, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Janette Hughes Gudgell

May 14, 1935 - July 18, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Obituary Notification