Joanne Baker Briggs

Joanne was born in Houston, Texas on September 26, 1948 to Richard Orville (R.O.) and Crystal Baker, who preceded her to Heaven. Early in her life, the family moved to Odessa, Texas where Joanne attended Ector County Public Schools, including Crockett Junior High and Odessa High Schools. Early in her junior year of High School, Joanne was named Editor of the Odessa High School yearbook for the following year, a creative challenge that she took on with great pride and passion. Unfortunately, when her father was transferred and the family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Joanne was unable to continue her work into her senior year. However, with the creative theme and layouts Joanne completed before she left, the 1967 Broncho still carried her title and theme of “People, Places and Things” when it was published. During her senior year at Baton Rouge High School, Joanne was voted Most Beautiful by her classmates. Joanne graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1967, but she was always a Broncho at heart.

Upon graduation, Joanne returned to Odessa and married Sam Briggs, her childhood sweetheart, on June 10, 1967. It was God’s plan for them to have five children together as He gave Joanne all the talents of a perfect, loving Christian Mother.

They moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1972 and became active members of the MacArthur Park Church of Christ. Beginning in 1987, they moved to California, Florida, and Arkansas for short periods, and returned to the San Antonio area and New Braunfels, Texas where Joanne became a member of the New Braunfels Church of Christ. During her travels, she always kept her faith and taught her children Christian values.

Throughout her life, Joanne perfected her talent in cooking. She had an amazing ability to determine all the ingredients in any dish from her keen sense of taste and smell. She never needed a timer because she just knew when something was done. Her family would all tell you that in thirty-five years she never prepared anything that wasn’t absolutely delicious.

Joanne always put God, her family, and others before any thoughts of herself, which endeared her to everyone she touched. She had a humor that was contagious, and a gentleness that was unforgettable. Late in life, Joanne fought off the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis with the help of her children and with a strength and courage that amazed all of those around her. This earth is saddened by her passing, and she will be forever loved and missed.

Joanne is survived by her five children and eleven grandchildren: daughter Amy Elizabeth, her husband Kris Buck, and their three children Paige, Peyton and Parker of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter Anne Michelle, her husband Michael Bassett, and their three children Michael, Mack and Amber of Cibolo, Texas; son John Paul Briggs, his wife Christin, and their two children Leo and Luke of Burbank, California; daughter April Jean, her husband Tomas Goertz, and their daughter Crystal Anne of Schertz, Texas; and daughter Crystal Alene, her husband Ivan Antosh, and their children Jack and Josefine (for Joanne’s nickname) of Killeen, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Judy and her husband Harry Huelsbeck of Pensacola, Florida, and Joanne’s ex-husband Sam Briggs of Helotes, Texas.

Viewing will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at New Braunfels Church of Christ, followed by services at 2:00 p.m. The Church is located at 1665 S. Business IH 35, New Braunfels, TX, (830) 625-3520, and can be accessed by taking the west-bound Frontage Road of IH 35 about ½ mile from the Walnut Avenue and IH35 intersection. Graveside services will be held at a time to be determined later on Wednesday March 16, 2011, at Greenwood Cemetery, County Road CoRd 855 / Cemetery Rd., Teague, TX 75860. Arrangements were made at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa, New Braunfels, TX 78130, (830) 625-2349.

Donations in Joanne’s name can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society/Lone Star Chapter, 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77054, or by calling (800) 344-4867, (press 2). Donations may alternatively be made to the New Braunfels Church of Christ, 1665 S. Business IH 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Arrangements under the direction of Zoeller Funeral Home, New Braunfels, TX.