JoElla, daughter of the late William Carlisle Wooten, Sr and Jessie Marie (Griffis) Wooten, was born March 6, 1931 in Lawtey, Florida. Following her 1949 graduation from Clay County High School in Green Cove Springs, Florida, JoElla attended Marsh Draughon Business College in Atlanta, Georgia. Soon after moving to Atlanta, JoElla met the love of her life, James George Tampa, who was a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. They were married in Atlanta on June 9, 1950. The Korean War began shortly after their wedding, resulting in James’ enlistment in the United States Air Force and assignment to various military bases during his years of service. They returned to Atlanta in 1955, where JoElla worked as a full-time mother and homemaker. She was actively involved as a volunteer at her daughter’s school, Girl Scouts, and Capitol View Presbyterian Church. From 1970 until her retirement in 1985, JoElla worked for Fulton County as a clerk typist in the data processing department.
JoElla and James shared a love for the north Georgia mountains and chose Cleveland, Georgia as the perfect location to build their retirement home. They enjoyed their retirement years and were active in church and community activities. They also provided caregiving assistance to JoElla’s mother and disabled sister. JoElla’s mother passed away in 1995, followed by James’ passing in 1998. JoElla and her sister moved to Thomasville, Georgia in 2005, where JoElla was a caregiver for her sister until she passed away in 2011.
When the time came for JoElla to consider moving to an assisted care facility, she chose Addington Place (formerly Benton House) in Brunswick, Georgia. She knew no one in Brunswick and had no family connections there; however, she had visited the area, liked it, and identified it as the place where she wanted to spend her final years. She loved Brunswick, and enjoyed going to the local stores and restaurants.
Throughout her life, JoElla cherished her family. She was a loving, caring, genuinely unselfish person who was always looking for ways to give of herself to help others. JoElla shared her love for life, her beautiful smile, and her sense of fun with everyone she met. She was also a loving “mother” to three cats, Calico, Abby, and Smokey, who preceded her in death. As a lifelong Christian, she did not fear death and looked forward to spending eternity with Jesus. She also longed to be reunited with her beloved James, as well as with the other family and friends who are already in heaven.
Left to celebrate her life, yet mourn her loss, are her daughter, Lynn (John), grandsons James and David (Carrie), great-grandchildren, Delano and Lucille, and brother John Wayne (Dorothy).
A private graveside service will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, where JoElla will be interred next to her late husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, 134 Indigo Dr, Brunswick, GA 31525, or to Pioneer Bible Translators, https://pioneerbible.org/give.
The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Addington Place for the loving care and relationships JoElla enjoyed while living there, and to the Visiting Angels caregivers who provided loving care, comfort, and fellowship during her final illness. Additionally, the family wishes to thank the staff at Heartland Hospice and Hospice of the Golden Isles for their compassionate care and support.
Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com
