Joe Ann Overton

Joe Ann Overton, of Houston Texas, was born in Natchez Mississippi on January 26, 1935, and passed away in at the age of 89 on March 25, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Robert (Bob) M Overton in 2019.

Joe Ann became the first member of her family to attend college by enrolling and graduating from Mississippi College. She had a daily commute of 2 hours via bus in each direction from her home in Jackson to campus located in Clinton, MS and worked on campus to pay her tuition. While at MC, she met a young ministerial student named Bob Overton, who would become her husband for more than six decades. After graduation they ventured to Fort Worth, TX to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to begin their life-long shared ministry. She worked for the Seminary until Bob’s graduation.

Bob and Joe Ann raised a family together with children Judith, Rob, and Jean Ann. She was a nurturing mother to her children and a faithful, loving wife to her husband. She made certain that their home was full of laughter, compassion, music, and of course, good food. But above all, she saw to it that everyone knew they were loved and supported unconditionally. She served her family well with joy, grace, humility, and love which overflowed from her relationship with Christ.

Their ministerial journey together spanned over 60 years. Joe Ann felt called by God to be a “Preacher’s Wife,” and she was a vital part of his ministry. She poured herself into women of the church and provided counsel to many over the years. She also directed countless weddings. Together they served churches in Moorhead MN, Redland TX, Lufkin TX, and Houston TX. The later years were invested in Pastoral students at the Houston campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she worked in the administration office while Bob taught classes. She used this role to be an encourager and mentor to many seminary students as well as couples who served in ministry.

She is survived by her children, Judith Overton Williams and husband Tim, Robert Overton Jr, A2 and wife Julie, and Jean Ann Overton; grandchildren, Kelley Williams Kincaid and husband Chris, Meredith Williams Cooper and husband Zachary, Joshua Overton and wife Tori, and Daniel Overton and wife Molly; great-grandchildren, Caleb Kinkaid and Luke Kinkaid; sister, Geanie Little Smith and husband Jimmy. Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert M Overton, father, Purser (Dutch) Little, mother, Evie Seale Little, and sisters, Evelyn Pope Harmount and Dorothy Frazier.

And now, the rest of the story as remembered by family and friends…

● She never missed a chance to share the gospel. She felt that if someone came into her home, then she was supposed to make sure that they knew Jesus. She continued this practice her entire life as she witnessed to all of her caregivers and a salesman or two!

● She loved music and played it very often in the house. I think her favorite music was when her husband Bob played the piano, which was daily. At the end of her days on earth, she still sang to people around her throughout the day.

● The seminary students were very important to her. On many occasions, students who commuted to classes from out of town were given a place to sleep in their home when they had class the next day.

A visitation for Joe will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A committal service will occur Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.