Joann Sanderson

Jo Ann was born on May 31, 1944, at St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, to Merlin and Mary Sellers. She was baptized at St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Sioux City.

She attended Irving Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High, and Central High School in Sioux City. Jo Ann went on to earn her Bachelors of Arts in Education from Morningside College and her Masters of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University in the 1960s while working at Southwestern Bell (later AT&T).

Teaching was not only Jo Ann’s career but her calling. She taught for 24 years and was a proud member of the Illinois Teachers Union, where she advocated for her students and fellow educators. Her passion for reading, writing, and the pursuit of knowledge inspired generations of students to find joy in learning.

After retiring from teaching, Jo Ann moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she later met her devoted and cherished partner, Victor Gomez. Together they shared many happy years, exploring Texas towns, enjoying visits to Padre Island, and spending countless hours in bookstores and coffee houses.

While living in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Jo Ann remained active in several book clubs and continued to nurture her love for writing and lifelong learning. Jo Ann organized a women’s book group in Corpus Christi, Texas over twenty years ago, which still continues today.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Merlin and Mary Sellers. She is survived by her sister Anna May, her brother Mark, two nieces, two nephews, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews—with two more expected in the spring.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 15, 2025, at Porter Loring West Funeral Home.

Jo Ann will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her kindness, and her grace. She was a devoted teacher, a loving partner and a woman who found beauty in words, wisdom, and the simple joys of life. She was an inspiration in so many ways to all of us who knew her and will be greatly missed.