Linda Joan Bartlett

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mom, Grammy, sister and friend Linda Joan (Strahan) Bartlett. Joan passed away January 6th, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer.

Joan was born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi, the youngest child of Ruth and Farrell Strahan. She attended St. John’s Catholic School and is still friends with many of her classmates.

Just after high school she met the love of her life, (then) Lt. Ron Bartlett who was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. They married within a year of meeting and would have celebrated their 65th anniversary next month. Her first five years as a military wife began in California, led to South Dakota, then to Oklahoma and Texas where by then she and Ron had four children. She held down the homestead when Ron was deployed to Vietnam, Korea, and many shorter temporary duty assignments. She handled all with grace and faith in God.

Joan and Ron continued their military adventure, moving thirteen times in 31 years, which included assignments in the US, Europe and the Pacific. Whether flying solo or joined by Ron, she made each assignment feel like an adventure. Her focus was always on the needs of others and she made many life-long friends along the way. She was so warm and welcoming that children of her friends and neighbors affectionately called her “Mama B.” Her smile and sense of humor made her a joy to be around.

Her Catholic faith sustained her throughout her lifetime. Her love for Jesus was known to all. Joan and Ron were active members of Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, Florida for many years before moving to Georgia to be closer to family. In Georgia, they were members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Dana (Gail) Bartlett.

She is survived by her husband Col (ret) Ron Bartlett, her daughters Teri (Tom) Towey, Lisa Bartlett, Julie (Kevin) Blair, daughter-in-law Gail Bartlett-Foster (Mike) by her grandchildren Adam (Mel) Blair, Elizabeth Blair, Caralyn Towey, Evan (Emma) Towey, Meredith (Eric) Rawls, and by her great-grandchildren Patrick, Caleb, Emily, Afton, Marlo, Atlas and Romee Joan.

She is also survived by her sister Myrna (Frank) Noto, brother Rod Strahan, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful for the many prayers offered for Joan during her illness.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday January 20, 2026 (11:00 am) at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lawrenceville, GA. To view the service via live-stream, visit www.saintlaw.org and click the blue live-stream button. A small reception will follow the service in Cogswell Hall. All are welcome.

She will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton GA on Thursday, January 22nd at 10:30am.