Joan Carol McGuire

Joan Carol McGuire took her flight to Glory when the angel set her spirit free on August 12, 2026. Her beloved daughter Candra, who Joan “loved more than life itself,” never left her side, along with her son in love and her grandchildren. Though she faced a perilous 13 month battle with pancreatic cancer, her steadfast belief in the healing power of Jesus never wavered. She was completely at peace when her Father called her Home and she ran to Him with open arms. She was a living example of what complete surrender to the will of the Lord truly looks like.

On July 8, 1949 in the tiny gulf coast town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, God dipped into His most vivid colors to paint a Designer’s Original—a masterpiece lovingly named Joan Carol. In the second grade Joan heard Him call her by name and chose to dedicate her life to the sacred plan He chose for her. That seed of faith planted at such a young age would root deeply and blossom into every area of her life. Her greatest desire was to be remembered for her unwavering faith, devotion to family, strong work ethic and endless pursuit of service to others.

She radiated beauty and grace everywhere she she went, including the high school she attended in Moss Point, Mississippi as well as Mississippi Gulf Coast College where she graduated with an Associate of Science degree. In 1970 she waved farewell to the coast and moved to the big city of Nashville, TN to work in Gospel Music. One evening at an “all night sing” at the legendary War Memorial Auditorium she met the love of her life, Jerry. It was genuine love at first sight that grew into 25 beautiful years of marriage. Even after Jerry’s sudden passing, Joan remained faithful to her only love.

After her successful career in gospel music, Joan decided to take on the Insurance industry alongside her beloved Jerry. For 12 years she thrived in business until a higher calling beckoned her out of the office and into a life of full time motherhood and homemaking. She adored this season and looked back on it with great fondness. She would smile ear to ear recalling her experiences serving as room mother in Candra’s school, cooking delicious meals, and most importantly sharing the testimonies of answered prayers. Joan understood the power of taking time daily to sit in her prayer chair to intercede for the ones she loved who were in need of being lifted before the Lord.

When asked what she felt God’s purpose was for putting her on the earth, Joan’s answer was simply, “To serve and to love.” And she did to the fullest. From volunteering as a Sunday School or New Believers teacher at church, to being a non judgmental listening ear to friends, family and colleagues, she shared her hard earned wisdom freely.

Her benevolent spirit overflowed not just to those close to her, but to any cause that moved her heart. She was a proud supporter of Habitat For Humanity, St. Jude, the School For The Blind and she never could resist a bell ringer at Christmastime for the Salvation Army. Her generosity knew no boundaries.

After 15 years, Joan returned to service in Insurance and remained successfully for 27 years until her retirement. She beamed proudly that one of her greatest accomplishments there was seeing Martin Luther King Day reinstated in the office. She had taken on quite the email/letter battle fighting to have it recognized again after it had been removed.

With everything Joan accomplished in life, she said vehemently that her favorite roles she was blessed to play were Mother and MeMe. She delighted in her loved ones and found such joy in their yearly adventures to Disney. She attended church with her family at The Belonging Co. and created a home where an atmosphere of faith and love became the heartbeat that pulsed strong. She clung to her passion for writing through even the toughest season of life and with great celebration her Encore Encore: In The Key Of Love was published in the spring of 2026.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Jerry Dale McGuire, her mother, Ruth Genevieve Boone, and father, Gladin Gorin Boone Jr. She was survived by her daughter Candra McGuire Rogers (Cole), Stepson John McGuire (Sophie), and 5 grandchildren Hudson Vinett (13), Keira Rogers (19), Nora Rogers (17), Amelia Rogers (13) and Michelangelo Durbano (15). Also, sisters Diane Love, Joy Robertson, their husbands, children and families.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday August 20th at First Baptist Church Downtown on 7th Ave. General Visitation is from 1:00-2:00pm and the Service will begin at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, a Go Fund Me has been created for contributions towards final medical expenses from Joan’s brave 13 month battle and to alleviate additional funeral costs. Any remaining funds will be donated to St. Jude in her honor.

www.gofundme.com/f/honor-joan-mcguires-memory