Alice JoAnn Edwards

On August 28, 1965, she married Kent Harold Edwards, the love of her life. Together they shared 60 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with three children: David Edwards, Diane Edwards Batterham, and Debbie Edwards Thorpe.

The titles of “Mom” and “Grammy” were JoAnn’s proudest and most cherished roles in life. They brought her immense joy, and she was deeply loved in return. She will be forever loved by her grandchildren: Kailey, Brandon, Kyra, Jordan, and Jessica.

JoAnn worked in the medical field as an administrator for most of her life, but her greatest gift and true passion was sharing her Christian faith and leading others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She was deeply involved in her church, Grace Presbyterian in Peoria, Illinois, as well as Christian Women’s Club. In the 1980s, she founded Life Changing Ministries, a Christian outreach organization that brought Christian singers and speakers to Peoria.

JoAnn spent most of her life in Peoria, Illinois. In 1999, she and Kent moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they made their new home. There, she continued her work in the medical field and found great joy in serving Jesus at Calvary Tucson and the community.

She loved traveling to see family and treasured creating special memories together. One of her greatest joys was giving the gift of meaningful time spent with loved ones, planning moments that her family would remember forever.

On April 10, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children JoAnn left this earth peacefully and beautifully to be with Jesus.

She had many favorite scriptures, but the verse she lived by was Isaiah 40:31:

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

A private graveside service is being arranged by Desert Rose Heather. A Celebration of JoAnn’s life will be this summer.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Gospel Rescue Mission in JoAnn’s memory.