Janie Ruth Buchanan Steele, age 78, who served on the Farmington Planning Commission and Farmington City Council for more than 27 years, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 5, 2018. She was born on Jan. 25, 1940, in Prairie Grove, Ark., to Thornton "Buck" and Maurine Mayes Buchanan. She married Jon D. Steele on July 11, 1958.
She was a long-time resident of Farmington, where she attended Farmington schools, graduated from Peabody High School in Fayetteville, and attended the University of Arkansas. Jon and Janie briefly lived in California where their three children were born. In 1965, they returned to Farmington. She owned and operated a child care center at her home for many years. She was active in Farmington city government, serving as a city council member, and recently working to document the history of Farmington. Janie was a long-time active member of Farmington First Baptist Church. Her family and many friends remember her as strong-willed, kind, compassionate, and giving.
Steele was presented with a "key" to the city of Farmington in 2014 for her "unwavering commitment" to the community. In addition to serving as an alderwoman, Steele chaired the city's Historical Preservation Committee and served on the city's Parks and Recreation Committee.
She continued to serve on the City Council because of her love for Farmington, its rich history and its future growth. Steele always had an interest in the history of Farmington because her relatives came to this area in the 1800s.
Janie Steele was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Grace Parker and Sue Kapchuk; and a granddaughter, Tara Edwards.
She is survived by one son, Jon Gary Steele of Los Angeles, Calif.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Doug Edwards of Farmington, Deidre and Kenneth Ness of Farmington; one brother, Henry Buchanan of Farmington; four grandchildren, Stephanie Edwards Brown, Christy Edwards Wear, Adam Ness, and Monica Ness; five great-grandchildren, Arabella Beard, Cadence Brown, Rosalynd Wear, Emmilynn Brown, and Haven Brown.
Visitation will be at the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Farmington First Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at the Farmington Cemetery.
Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.
Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove is in charge of arrangements.
General News on 08/08/2018