Joanna Colleen Leonard Walker Funkhouser, 67, of Huntsville, AL, passed peacefully with her daughters at her side at the Healthcare Center at Buck Creek in Alabaster, AL on December 30, 2023. She was born on August 10, 1956, an only child to Joanna Joyce Kidwell and Ray Leonard in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Joanna radiated enthusiasm, joviality, and a deep love for her family and friends. Joanna was crowned "Little Miss Murfreesboro" in 1961. She moved to Huntsville in 1968 where she attended Whitesburg Middle School and Grissom High school. At Grissom, she played clarinet in the symphonic band and marching band, and was selected for the Alabama All-State band four times. Joanna also participated in the flag corps, served as rifle corps captain in 1973, and performed in the wind ensemble at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. After graduation in 1974, Joanna studied criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi. She took clarinet lessons and performed in the wind ensemble and Pride of Mississippi marching band.

Joanna was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of her friends and family, especially her two daughters, Olivia Funkhouser and Chloe Funkhouser. Joanna took immense pride in her daughters, to whom she dedicated her life. She could be found at every football game, dance recital, and concert. She shared videos of Olivia's performances and photos of Chloe's artwork with everyone, and spent her time ensuring that her girls had every opportunity in life.

Joanna was an outgoing, engaging, and loyal friend. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and made friends everywhere she went. Joanna had an appreciation for live music, with a special fondness for horn bands, soul, funk, and wind band music. She also enjoyed singing, herb gardening, cooking, traveling, and politics. Joanna worked to spread awareness about causes including reproductive freedom, women's rights, equality, and securing government protections for the poor and the elderly.

Joanna is preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Kidwell Walker, and her father, Ray Leonard, and is survived by her two children, Olivia Funkhouser (Steve), and Chloe Funkhouser (Mason).

A non-denominational memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 6th at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church with the Reverend Madison Harner officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Center for Reproductive Rights. 

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