If you knew Joan, you liked her.  She was straightforward, honest, funny, spunky and kindhearted. She loved God, kids and animals. She lived a full life, and while some of her years were wild and free, other years were full of challenge. 

She grew up as the only girl in a family of three brothers and was a known tom-boy. She enjoyed shooting rifles and was "a good shot". Thin and lively her friends called her "Boney Joanie". She had lifelong friendships, most notable is her sweet friend Dee who has known, loved and accepted her since they met in junior high school, culminating over 60 years of friendship!!! 

She struggled in school and was called a 'dreamer' who thrived on creative ideas. She worked in factories, nail salons, florist shops, schools and owned and operated her own daycare center. She understood children with learning challenges and different learning styles.  She adopted tons of stray animals, including countless dogs and cats and even two injured sparrows.  She created watercolor post cards, preferred the country over the city and enjoyed gardening. 

Joan was featured in the newspaper as the first young woman enrolled in mechanics school where she also learned welding. She sported a fake 'afro' and supported women's rights and racial equality.

Her life path included a six-year marriage to a handsome motorcycle rider she had only met 3 weeks prior.  They had two children together and once divorced she became the primary parent.  When she was asked about the hardships of being a single parent, she said that she "yelled more than she should have but thought that her kids turned out pretty good in spite of that".  Joan also has three grandchildren, Summer, Shalene and Nicholas and five great grandchildren, Luke, Ashlee, Tiffany, Daddy and Piper, who will inherit her integrity, generosity and perseverance.  She would give anything for them, and she often gave all she had to be sure they were loved. 

Joan overcame alcoholism living her last 44 years clean and sober! She was diagnosed with ADD and Fibromyalgia in her 40's and overcame both! She also quit smoking but sadly one year after quitting she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She repeatedly overcame hardship with faith, stamina and a 'get it done' attitude. She was brave. She never complained. Not even during the four years of cancer treatments. Not once.

She was a sibling, a parent, a head start teacher, a friend, a rescuer, and a generous child of God. Though she was not financially wealthy, she always found money for those who needed it. She showed us how to treat people with respect, how to stand up for what was right and how to love and protect children.

Some have described Joan as pragmatic, stoic, a badass, a sweetheart, a creative soul, good people, funny, a kick in the pants and nice. 

She was all those things and more. Please remember that if you help a child in any way you will honor her. If you love an animal you will bless her memory. If you are a believer, and speak the truth with love, you will represent her faith in God. 

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