Joan Partain

Joan Davis Partain, age 91, of North Richland Hills, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 3, 2023, and went to meet her Savior. Since her beloved husband Gene’s passing in May, her health declined rapidly. The family believes she died of the classic ‘broken heart.’

Joan, or ‘Mama Joan‘ as her grandchildren and great–grandchildren lovingly called her, was born at the height of the Great Depression in Garrett, Texas, to Leon and Elzora Davis. Joan was little sister to Billie Jean and big sister to Dorothy, Lynn, and Don.

Gifted, passionate, and determined, this young girl made it clear she had places to go, people to see, and most importantly, things to do. The world would be blessed by this dynamic woman charged to fulfill her calling in God’s kingdom.

Ministering to small churches in the Rio Grande Valley, Joan’s parents labored diligently to raise their family during difficult times. During the 1950s, they managed to send all five of their children to college at Harding, beginning an involvement with the Harding community which now spans five generations. Joan earned a degree in Psychology and Education from Harding in 1953.

Joan married Gene in 1954, a beautiful partnership lasting almost 70 years. Gene was a faithful and active supporter of Joan’s 51-year career in Christian education.

Joan was passionately devoted to her two daughters, Roxi and Lisa; inspiring them to grow into godly wives and mothers, supporting them in every way possible, modeling for them how to raise children that love God, and encouraging them to develop their God–given gifts to their fullest potential.

From early childhood, Joan understood that she was called to teach—and teach she did. She taught Bible, Reading, Math, and English, and was a mentor to many outside of the classroom. She taught all ages, all cultures, and all capabilities. Gifted with a unique ability to accurately assess children’s strengths, she motivated them to learn through innovative and creative teaching approaches. Joan earned the reputation of being able to ‘teach a rock to read,’ and countless have been blessed by her talents and her commitment to her students.

Whatever Joan did, she did wholeheartedly ‘as to the Lord.’ Nurturing family, loving grandchildren, working with students, teaching teachers, or investing hours in vital ministries as a deacon’s (and later, elder’s) wife, Joan spent a lifetime giving unreservedly of her time, talent, and resources.

Joan viewed Christian education as a ministry that expands the Lord’s Kingdom by educating hearts and souls, as well as minds. Joan and Gene were instrumental in the founding or development of six different Christian schools including: Midland Christian, Sharpstown Christian, Westbury Christian, Northland Christian, Lindale Christian, and Houston Christian.

During her career, Joan was nominated as ‘Texas Teacher of the Year,’ named to the Texas Christian School Association’s Hall of Fame, earned a Master’s Degree in Diagnostic Teaching with Gifted Emphasis from the University of Houston, and completed post-graduate work at Sul Ross State University and the University of Texas.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Roxi Crews and husband, Mark, of Searcy, AR; Lisa Jennings and husband, James, of North Richland Hills, TX; sister, Dorothy Roberts of Cape Coral, FL; brother, Don Davis and wife, Nancy, of San Angelo, TX; sister-in-laws, DeAnna Graves of Spring, TX, Darline Partain of Cleveland, TX, and Nan Noles of Houston, TX; grandchildren Meagan Justus and her husband, Andy; Lauren Haak and her husband, Jonathan; Kylie Pope and her husband, Trenton; Scott Jennings and his wife, Allison; Carter Jennings and his wife, Abby; and Jonathan Crews and his wife, Raya; great-grandchildren, Bonnie Justus, Annabelle Justus, Anderson Haak, Harrison Pope, Juliet Haak, Grant Pope, Elliott Pope, Brooke Jennings, Anderson Jennings, Maxi Jennings, and Lennon Jennings; numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she ensured could read at an early age!

Friends who would like to honor her memory may consider a gift to the Harding University General Scholarship Fund, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149 or www.harding.edu/give/givenow or to the Partain Library at Westbury Christian School, 10420 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096.