Janet Lea "Jan" Bond (Cotton)

Janet Lea “Jan” Bond, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Friday August 13, 2021. She was 75 years old.

Janet was born on March 20, 1946 in Wynne, Arkansas to L.R. Cotton and Dorothy Lines. After graduation Jan attended Central Methodist University. It was there in marching band, she met the absolute love of her life and best friend, Paul Bond. They later married and from their beautiful union came two children, Justin and Netanya.

Jan had such a special way about her and truly cared for all people, touching many lives throughout her journey. She was a physical education teacher for many years and would take joy planning out activities for her students to grow and learn from. Jan also coached basketball while working in Adrian and Lincoln. She coached Netanya’s junior high basketball team as well. Though Jan loved doing her work in the schools, her heart was always with the Lord and in Ministry. Jan worked for the Missouri West Conference of the United Methodist Church as the conference youth worker for several years. She then served as youth pastor at 1st United Methodist Church in Blue Springs, then at Lenexa UMC as youth pastor and Blue Ridge UMC as associate pastor.

Jan and Paul moved to Hannibal, MO in 2000 where she served Park UMC for six years. She spent a couple years at Grace UMC in Higginsville where she was dearly loved. Her final pastorate was at Aurora UMC for six years. In retirement she did ministry at Blue Ridge UMC in Kansas City and 1st UMC in Blue Springs. In complete retirement, she loved playing bass in the praise band at Blue Ridge UMC. Jan was an amazingly strong woman, setting an example to not only her children and husband, but to all she had mentored. She will be deeply missed but we know she is with the Lord still doing His work.

Jan is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul Bond; children, Justin (Holly) Bond and Netanya (John) Bousman; her grandchildren whom she adored, Keaton and Camden Bond; sister Barbara (Michael) Dethrow; nieces and nephews; and many friends she considered family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leamon Rhea Cotton and Dorothy Lea (Lines) Cotton.

A visitation will take place Friday August 20, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Blue Ridge Boulevard United Methodist Church “The Ridge”, 5055 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133. Services will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10 am and will also be held at The Ridge with interment to follow at Brooking Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to Blue Ridge Boulevard United Methodist Church “The Ridge”.