I met Jo Ann in 1978, I was a kid living alone in an apartment-(Castlewood), her daughter Cathy moved in 2 doors down with her 2 dogs "Rocky & Bullwinkle".  She and I became fast friends and we had many late nite talks. Jo Ann was a lovely lady who made hanging macrame tables, yes I still have one! I also met Cathy's sister-in-law Wendy...and later, after Gary Musick, Cathy brought her sweet daughter Joanna to meet me. Cathy was great fun-I used to house sit for her on Oak and later on Schell. I was sad she moved to Florida, what a lovely family, may God bless them all.

This was written by my sister,  Tracy Estes...In honor of our Grandma

Grandma’s service was today. I wish I could have held it together to stand up and say something about her.

I spent a lot of time yesterday writing a letter to myself, a vision of who I want to be. This section was inspired by her:

~ Always love softly, but live big ~

As you take more trip arounds the sun it can be easy to become more callous and jaded. In a land that glorifies being independent, many seem to think it’s a sign of maturity to care less about those around you. The greatest wisdom to be had with each passing year is not to care less. It’s to care less about the things that don’t truly matter, and more deeply about the things that do.

Remember grandma and what she taught you. Most intellectual types probably would have considered her “simple” or “simple-minded” as a stay-at-home mom and wife, a homemaker (as if making a home and building a family is ever actually simple).  She was genuinely kind. Not simply kind, *genuinely* kind to everyone, no matter who you were, how you looked, where you came from, or how much money you had. This was not born out of a lack of knowledge, awareness, education, or complexity of thought. It was born out of complete, unyielding clarity about what was most important to her – people. She loved people. Her most precious moments in life were those spent with family and friends.

And the fact is, she knew how to love smarter than anyone you’ve ever known. In the words of Toni Morrison, “It takes a certain intelligence to love like that – softly, without props.” No Instagram worthy scenes, cameras, or filters were required. Grandma’s love didn’t need any of that. She just needed you.

That said, she knew how to have fun. Whether it was trips to Florida, their Tennessee lakehouse, or Holiday World, having fun meant creating priceless memories of time spent together, tokens of her love that remain now that she’s gone.

Love was her legacy. May it be yours 

My sweet lady, Mrs America. I will always cherish memories of pushing you back to your room, meeting you at the library and sharing memories.  Your smile was contagious and you will be dearly missed.   I will always be reminded of you when I look at my flower on my buggy. You are now with dear Jesus. 
Love, Mary Smalley

I am so sorry to hear of Joann’s passing.  I was fortunate to have them for neighbors.  I enjoyed many conversations sitting on their porch.  Johnnie seemed to be waiting for me to get home from work in the summer to share tomatoes from his garden.  I will always picture them sitting on the porch together.  Always with a story and laughter.  They are missed.

When I was cleaning house for her, we always had so many interesting things to talk about.  It usually took me longer to get it all done than it should have because I kept stopping to visit and chat with Joann, I enjoyed my work days with her each time! Later, I had my then-20 year- old daughter take over cleaning Joann’s house while I picked up other clients. I’m pretty sure that Joann enjoyed my daughter’s company even more than mine, as they also talked about everything and laughed a lot while my daughter spent 5-6 hours doing a job that should have taken only three. I was so proud that my intelligent and well-informed 20 yr old was able to keep up with a wise 90 year old on issues like politics, religion, books, and more. They enjoyed each other each time she cleaned for Joann, and it was great having Joann’s influence in her young life. I look forward to reconnecting with sweet Joann in Heaven, we will have so much more to talk about then, and we will enjoy each other again. ❤️

Todd took Grandma to her last visit to Harvest Homecoming...All she cared about was Delaney and her fun. She bought Lorelai a gift because she was too small. 

I remember the kids, their mother and I spent two Octobers in New Albany. Joann was amused with how fascinated I was with the colors of the leaves in Fall. She also shared the same admiration for the colors of Fall. I also remember her meatloaf was the best I had ever eaten. I still use her recipe to this day & eat it monthly. 

From the first time I ever met her, I knew that she was my kind of person. So very warm, always a smile & when I spoke I really knew she was listening. This world lost one of the best women I have ever had the honor of knowing. 

I wrote this in honor of my Grandma and Grandpa: Johnnie and Jo Ann...

"Seventy Years and Counting"

Their doors were always open
They welcomed everyone in
They fed you and took care of you
and told stories to make you grin

The love they had for one another 
Was a gorgeous thing to see 
He spoke of her with kindness 
Though never on one knee

They married so very young,
many sure they wouldn't last
They changed their minds and soon
seventy years had passed

I picture them dancing together 
Holding each other tight
Thanking God for all his blessings
And how he loves with all his might

My memories are what I'll cherish
until the day I die
I'll get to Heaven and hold them and
I know I'll cry and cry...

I miss her so much... We'll be together again one day. 

This was her 89th birthday at Autumn Woods. I love this picture of her and my husband, Todd. She loved him and always told me how lucky I was to have him. 

We were devastated to not be able to be with her at the hospital...We prayed and fought and my Sister finally got in touch with the right people.  It meant the world to her. It is a memory I'll treasure for the rest of my life.

OBITUARY

JoAnn Estes

April 19, 1927 – November 8, 2020

Kraft Funeral Service & Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park

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