Joan Maureen Carnahan

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Joan Maureen Carnahan, of Nashville, Tennessee. She was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on January 7, 1956 and left this world on July 11, 2026, at the age of 70. She is survived by her four daughters: Janna Fiato, Janel Donnelly (spouse Frank Donnelly III- her hero), Joy Carnahan, Naketi Carnahan and her favorite son, Joseph Carnahan, 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren with one on the way, sisters Jean Johnson and Jinna Hays and best friend of 67 years, Jill Pardue.

Our beautiful mom, Joan, known by everyone as “Memaw,” spent 70 years making the world a better place simply by being herself. She touched so many lives with her kindness, generosity, and the quiet way she always put everyone else before herself. She never wanted to be the center of attention, but if you knew her, you knew she was the heart of our family.

Nothing made Mom happier than family gatherings. She loved looking around the room during holidays and family gatherings, watching her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends laughing, eating, telling stories, and simply enjoying one another. She didn’t need to be the loudest person in the room—seeing the people she loved together was all she ever wanted.

Mom often talked about the time she spent visiting Germany and the adventures she experienced while traveling throughout Europe. From spontaneous weekend getaways to unforgettable girls’ trips down the coast of Italy, those memories brought her so much joy and were stories she loved sharing with anyone who would listen.

She had an incredible gift for creating beautiful things with her hands. She loved painting ceramics and giving them away as personalized gifts because making someone else smile meant more to her than receiving anything in return. She was also an amazingly talented seamstress. Every time someone new became part of our family, whether by birth or by love, Mom lovingly made them a handmade Christmas stocking. Those stockings will hang every Christmas and remind us of the love she stitched into every single one.

Mom loved being outdoors. Whether she was planting flowers (her favorite-deadheading petunias), tending a garden, trimming trees, or burning brush, she was happiest with dirt on her hands and the sunshine on her face. She was never afraid of hard work, and without ever saying a word, she taught us what dedication, perseverance, resilience, and unconditional love looked like.

If there’s one thing our mom gave all of us, it was strength. She fought through more than most people will ever know, facing every challenge with courage and determination that never wavered. There is absolutely no question where we got our strength—it came from her.

Although our hearts are broken, we find peace knowing she is finally free. We picture her being welcomed home with open arms by her mom and dad, whom she missed so deeply, and reunited with all those who went before her. We know she’s no longer in pain, and for that, we are forever grateful.

Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every lesson you taught us, every hug, every holiday, every handmade gift, and every memory you gave us. Thank you for showing us what unconditional love looks like and for making our family what it is today.

You were the heart of this family. You are woven into every tradition, every holiday, every laugh, and every memory we will continue to make. Your love will live on through your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, and every life you touched.

We love you more than words could ever express. We will miss you every single day, but we find comfort knowing this isn’t goodbye—it’s simply “until we meet again.”

Forever our Mama. Forever our Memaw.

Celebration of Life July 25th, from 2 pm to 5 pm at Do Re Mi 275 Cedar Bluff Road Hartsville, TN.