JoAnn Allen Spear-Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1934. As a child, she traveled with her family, living in the US and Europe as demanded by her father’s military career. While attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a blind date led to love and marriage with Frank Spear. After college graduations, marriage, moves, and starting a family, they moved to Tampa in 1963, and later to Temple Terrace.
JoAnn participated fully in the lives of her 3 children. She earned her Masters at USF, and was loved and respected by students and parents alike, as she pursued a career as a kindergarten teacher. JoAnn enjoyed her friends, her women’s groups, choir and her church. She was a gracious hostess. She delighted in sewing and machine embroidery. Chocolate was a perennial favorite.
JoAnn loved her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When Frank passed away, she was able to find love again and married Albert Brown, adding his family to hers.
JoAnn bravely fought Parkinson’s disease head on, and died peacefully on June 5, 2021. She is predeceased by husbands Frank Spear and Albert Brown. She is survived by children Todd Spear, Sharon Bartels, Judy Skypack, their spouses, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was buried in a private family ceremony. Her Celebration of Life service will be at Temple Terrace United Methodist Church at 11:00 on July 24. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TTUMC or USF Byrd Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center.
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