Joan "Joanie" Elizabeth (Kausler) Rhea, age 88, of Memphis, Tennessee, left to be with the Lord on March 9, 2022 at St. Francis Hospital. Beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many, she leaves behind a daughter, Lin Reed; son, Dickie Rhea (Elizabeth) of Birmingham, Alabama; grandsons, Joseph (Allison) of Wilmington, North Carolina, Stephen (Rebecca) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Daniel (Hilarie) of Birmingham, Alabama; nine great-grandchildren; and her precious cat "Princess". Our deepest gratitude to all of her caregivers for their compassion and kindness. She was preceded in death by her loving husband "Rip", a son David, and her parents Joe and Dorothy Kausler.
Joanie's outgoing, energetic spirit touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Her positive outlook on life gave her the "oh yes I can, just watch me" attitude that kept her young and showed her enthusiasm for life! She was a dedicated Sunday school teacher at Colonial Baptist Church, a gifted singer in the choir, and took great enjoyment teaching children in vacation Bible school the importance of leading a Christian life. Her greatest passion was being a docent at the Memphis Zoo.
A visitation for Joan will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2022 beginning at 9:30 AM and followed by a celebration of her life at 10:30 AM, at Colonial Baptist Church, 1503 Colonial Road, Memphis, TN 38117. The graveside committal service will immediately follow at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis, TN 38134.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to Colonial Baptist Church, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Zoo, or a charity of the donor's choice.
We thank you, sweet mother, for all the love, inspiration and memories you left behind for us to cherish.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Rhea family.
