Janet Ellis Bolton

Janet Ellis Bolton, 73, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away peacefully Sunday, September 16, 2018 at her home in Little Rock following a long battle with COPD. She is survived by a son, William T. Dillard, III and his wife Tabietha; sister, Cissie Paddie; brother Fred Ellis; four grandchildren, Wren, Georgia, Thomas and Ellis Dillard and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Ellis, and her father, Fred O. Ellis. Jan was born in Hope, Arkansas on January 24, 1945, as the eldest of three children. She was a 1963 graduate of Hope High School. She began college at Randolph Macon for one year and then graduated from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Chi Omega and a Razorback Beauty. Jan was a mover and a shaker with lively intelligence. She began working at Dillard's department stores as an interior designer and then moved into store planning. Over time, she was tasked with running corporate advertising. She ably directed Dillard's corporate advertising for over 30 years. In 1993, she was named to the Hall of Fame of the National Retail Advertising and Marketing Association. She retired in 2001 to spend more time with her grandchildren, whom she adored. Jan's personality could light up a room. She was known for her sense of humor and her contagious and wonderful laugh. Jan was a phenomenal cook and was a foodie, (before there was such a thing) who enjoyed foie gras, caviar, beets, Le Sueur peas and biscuits and gravy. She loved to travel, swim, read mystery novels, write letters and work crossword puzzles. Jan was the happiest when she was on the beach collecting seashells or in her garden tending her roses. Her faith gave her the strength to fight through her long illness. Jan was sentimental and kept every card, note and photo from her friends and grandchildren, making her an amateur pack-rat. Jan was loved by so many and will be dearly missed. Special thinks to her devoted caregivers and friends: Dana Michaels, Gussie Parham, Carolyn Redmon, Terri Chapman and Patrice Jones. There will be a visitation Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock. A private burial will precede the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Search Ministries; https://arkansas.searchnational.org/invest/ 1901 Napa Valley, Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72212 will be appreciated. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.