She was born Anita Joan Sneed on May 17, 1933 to Marvin and Lela Sneed in the Hamilton, Texas hospital. Joan attended the Hamilton Public Schools where she met the love of her life, Eli Douglas. She graduated in 1951 and then attended East Texas State Commerce, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and thereafter became an elementary school teacher. Joan’s love of education led her back to Stephen F. Austin to earn her M. Ed. while rearing two children, Julie and Jill. She also completed additional graduate work specializing in reading. Joan had a talent for teaching many grade levels but had a passion for working with students with learning disabilities on their reading and math skills. Her grandchildren also have fond memories of reading lessons with their JoJo, as she brought her passion for teaching and learning with her throughout her entire life.
Joan married her childhood sweetheart, Eli Douglas, on October 23, 1954. They built a beautiful life together and left a legacy with the way in which they loved each other. She and her husband still own a small working ranch property in their hometown of Hamilton, Texas.
Joan loved the Lord deeply and made a lasting impact on her community, a testament to the way in which she led by serving others. As a superintendent’s wife, Joan had many responsibilities within her communities. She led various women’s organizations, was involved in the First Baptist Church of Lewisville, and volunteered at McAuliffe Elementary School, where she saw all of her grandchildren through and beyond. It was here that she was awarded “PTA’s Volunteer of the Year” and earned the title of “PTA Lifetime Member”.
Joan’s family lovingly remembers her as “JoJo”. In addition to her volunteerism at McAuliffe Elementary, JoJo never missed a single soccer, baseball, or softball game; she attended every track meet, dance performance, piano recital, and swim meet. She always had a hat or a t-shirt to show that she was the biggest supporter in the crowd. Joan instilled traditions for her family at every holiday, from assigning readings to the family members to perform at dinner time to decorating the entire home in celebration of the time of year. She made everyone feel welcome and loved in her home. Joan had a love of traveling and reading, and had a knack for baking, gardening, and keeping her mind sharp.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Eli Douglas, her daughters Julie Jones (Hugh Jones) and Jill McKay (Chris McKay), her sister Shirley Perryman of Arlington, Texas, her grandchildren, Madeline Jones Alfaro (Anthony Alfaro), Nicholas Jones, Madison McKay, Sydney Jones Tipton (Colten Tipton), and Eli McKay, her great-grandchild, Mia Alfaro, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Marvin and Lela Sneed, her sisters Nora Sparks, Irene Carruthers, and Doris Armstrong, and her brothers, Major Charles Roy Sneed and George Sneed of Pensacola, Florida.
Joan Douglas was a follower of Jesus, devoted wife, and beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. There are no words to describe the loss that our family feels, but we find comfort knowing that she is at Jesus’s right hand. Joan left a great legacy and is immeasurably loved by her family.
The family is hosting a visitation on Wednesday, April 7th at the Riley Funeral Home, and a graveside service will take place the following day at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton, Texas. If so inclined, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation in her name.
