Joan S Barrentine

BARRENTINE, Joan Shannon, 79, of Seffner, Florida passed from this world on Monday, November 30, 2020. She was surrounded by her daughter and son, who she loved dearly, and God’s love. Joan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt. She was the oldest child of William V. and Emely Bleier Shannon. She was born on October 24, 1941 in New York, New York.

She attended public school in New York City before the family moved to Crystal Springs, Florida and she attended Zephyrhills High School. It was in Crystal Springs that she met the love of her life, Willard, and they were married in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Joan was a charter student at the University of South Florida and a proud graduate of their Charter Class (1964) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education. As a lifelong learner, she also received a Master’s Degree in Education and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of South Florida. Her love of USF was instilled in her two children Patricia and Patrick, both graduates of USF. After beginning her teaching career at Lacoochee Elementary School, she transferred to Hillsborough County Public Schools where she taught Social studies for over 40 years (Tomlin Jr. High School, Armwood High School). She was a proud member of the charter faculty at Armwood High School where she taught and served as Chair of the Social Studies Department until she retired in June 2009.

Her life’s passion was bringing history to life for her thousands of students and hoping that they would gain the love of history that was instilled in her by a teacher early in life. Joan was one of a few teachers involved in bringing the Cracker Country exhibit to the Florida State Fair and for many years led her students in the historical reenactment of life as Florida Crackers. Her commitment to her students and her dedication to teaching led her to gain the high standard of being a National Board Certification. She was most proud of being a National Board Certified Teacher after so many years of teaching and mentored many other teachers seeking their National Board certification before her retirement.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 54 years, Willard Barrentine, and her parents. Joan is survived by her daughter Patricia Barrentine Guay (Michael) of Rockville, MD; son, Patrick Barrentine (Debra) of Seffner, FL; grandchildren, Cody Barrentine and Aubrey Barrentine of Seffner; sisters, Eileen Deem of Cortlandt Manor, NY and Kathleen Shannon of Zephyrhills, FL; and brother, William V. Shannon, Jr. of Zephyrhills, FL.

A visitation for Joan will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. A funeral Mass will occur Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4450 County Rd 579, Seffner, FL 33584. A burial will follow at Oakside Cemetery, 5310 1st ST, Zephyrhills, FL 33542.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Barrentine family.