JoAnn was born May 1, 1948, in Long Beach, California.
JoAnn was truly the embodiment of her Italian heritage-passionate in every way. Her confident, decisive qualities and sense of loyalty served her well throughout her career with the State of Mississippi, where she retired after more than 35 years with the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
JoAnn’s heart was one of passion. Passionate about her family, politics, animals, whatever was important to her- to put it simply, JoAnn loved life. Considered by some to be opinionated and assertive, JoAnn was never afraid to speak her mind. She stood for what was right, never backed down from a challenge, and was fiercely loyal to the end.
JoAnn found her greatest pleasure in spending time with her family, often traveling to the Gulf Coast to accompany her daughter and grandchildren to the park or to Memphis to spend an afternoon with her son. In her free time she enjoyed tending her flowers and gardening, reading, shopping and having lunch with her many friends.
Perhaps JoAnn’s greatest legacy will be to live life to its fullest; to savor every moment, the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, and to love- always to love.
She is survived by her children, Megan Chiniche and husband Matt, and Matt Davis and wife Tracy; mother, Ophelia Ann Mula; grandchildren, Sophie and Blaire Chiniche; and brothers, John Mula, Jr. and wife Linda, and Tony Mula and wife Linda.
She was preceded in death by her father, John Mula, Sr.; sister, Annette Mula; and brother, Gordon Mula.
Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Friday, June 11, 2021, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Graveside services will be at 12:00pm, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the Bullock Cemetery in Sanford, Mississippi.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi at www.hssm.org.
