Joanna Sanders Easter departed this earthly life peacefully on the night of August 1st, 2023, at her home in Fort Worth, TX.
Joanna was born on August 26, 1929, in New Boston, Texas to the late Berthener Tyson Sanders Graves and Wilbert Sanders. As a child, she was baptized at Shady Grove Baptist Church. She received her education from the New Boston school system. At an early age Joanna left her childhood home in New Boston in the 1940s and settled in the Lake Como area of Fort Worth, TX. She joined Strangers Rest Baptist Church in 1945 at the age of 16 years old.
Joanna married Troy Easter Sr. on July 14, 1946, and began married life in the Northside of Fort Worth, TX. Sometime later they moved to the Lake Como community of Fort Worth, TX where she and Troy raised five children and several grandchildren. As a faithful member of Strangers Rest Baptist Church, she served as deaconess, choir member, church usher, and secretary for Debra Circle Bible Study and the Missions.
Joanna loved going to school and playing basketball as a child. As a mother of five children, she decided to pursue a career in the nursing profession. She went to school and graduated from a Nursing Aide Program. However, she soon realized this was not her calling. Instead, she worked tirelessly as a homemaker and caretaker for her husband, children, parents, father-in-law (William Easter) and grandchildren. The Easter household was a place of nurturing and refuge for many people throughout the years. Joanna was known as an excellent cook and baker. The family will fondly remember her extra special Spaghetti, Sweet Potato Pie, and Sour Cream Pound Cake.
Joanna leaves to cherish her memories, four sons , Troy Easter Jr. (Brenda), Colonel (Retired) Cornelius Easter Sr. (Carolyn), Gunnery Sergeant (Retired) Jimmie L. Easter (Karen), Bobby J. Easter (Teresa), one daughter Betty Ann Shorts, one stepson Devan Davis Sr. (Glenda); 12 grandchildren, Paul Easter (Julie), Timothy Easter (Amber), Donna Jackson, Yolanda Singleton (Lenzy Sr), Dr. Tandrea L Jackson (Adrian), Vandrenese A. Bryant, Cornelius Easter Jr. (Andericka), Stephanie Gonzalez (Rick), Jihan Easter and Jimmie Easter Jr., 2 step grandchildren, Devan Davis Jr and Sanaa Davis ; 25 great grandchildren, and fifteen great-great grandchildren; two sisters Catherine Crosby of Lake Como, Fort Worth, TX, Dorothy Nell Vickers, Dallas, TX and one brother Edward C. Graves of Lake Como, Fort Worth, TX, one sister in-law Ellen “Eleanor” Hightower and one brother in-law James “Travis” Easter both of Pittsburgh, CA. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, loving friends and a best friend Irene Brown.
Troy Easter Sr (Husband of 75 Years), Wilbert Sanders and Berthener Graves (Parents), Mary and Marilyn Easter (twin daughters), William Easter (Father-in-law), Margaret Scoggins (sister-in-law) and Lloyd Easter (brother-in-law) preceded Joanna in death.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Easter family.
