Joanne Edmonson's Obituary
Joanne Smith Edmonson was born outside Jackson, TN in 1927, and passed away in Germantown, TN, on Sunday, December 3rd, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband Allen S. Edmonson, as well as by her brother and sister-in-law Sanford and Bettye Smith, and her brother-in-law John H. Edmonson.She is survived by her sons Tom (Cindy), Bill (Mary) and John, and by her two grandsons Cole (Betty) and Michael, three step-granddaughters Amy Shaner, Sarah Hughes (Rob), and Rebecca Gordon (Kyle), and great-grandchildren Stafford Edmonson, Aubrey Gordon and Luke Gordon. She is also survived by her brother Neil (Toni) Smith; her sister-in-law Shirley Edmonson; and many nieces and nephews in both the Edmonson and Smith families.Joanne graduated from UT Knoxville with a BA and from the University of Michigan with an MA, both in Home Economics. Upon graduating, she worked in Memphis for the UT – Home Extension Services. She became a full-time homemaker, raising three sons, as well as volunteering for many church and community activities.Outside the home, she volunteered with many groups, including Les Passees, the Woman’s Exchange, and many activities at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. In addition, she held several leadership positions, including president of the Memphis & Shelby Co Medical Auxiliary, president of the Tennessee Medical Auxiliary, and she was the first woman to serve as deacon and later as elder at Evergreen Presbyterian.The family would also like to express their thanks for many years of friendship and support to all her friends at Evergreen Presbyterian, the members of her supper and bridge clubs, and to the kind and dedicated staff of the Village at Germantown.On Tuesday, December 12th, the family will receive friends at 10 AM, with the service to follow immediately at 11 AM, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. A private graveside service will be held later that day at 2:30 PM in Jackson, TN.In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
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