JoAnn Boggus Oakes

Our beloved Mom and Memaw, JoAnn Boggus Oakes, 94, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away suddenly on December 31, 2025. She was born on December 11, 1931, in her grandparents’ house in San Marcos, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper Waymen (Red) Boggus and Elizabeth Berry Boggus, her sister, Betty Jane Boggus Gidley, her infant nephew Robert Allen, her best friend and Aunt, Frances Berry Day and her nephew Michael Gidley.

JoAnn moved to Austin in junior high and considered herself a native Austinite. She attended Austin High School where she was a Red Jacket, and a member of the National Honor Society, tennis club and the debate team. She was proud to be a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in History as one of the few women in her class, was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and was a devoted Longhorn football fan.

JoAnn loved to travel and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in Germany and visit several European countries. She lived in five different states before moving back to Austin in 1971. She enjoyed travel to Canada, going on Alaskan and Caribbean cruises and many trips with her children and grandchildren.

JoAnn retired from the Texas Employment Commission after a successful 25-year career. She enjoyed playing bridge in retirement where she was a member of several bridge groups and formed many cherished friendships. She also enjoyed dominos, scrabble, card games and Words with Friends. JoAnn was an avid game-player and if you won, it wasn’t because she let you; all in good fun though. She enjoyed crosswords and jigsaws and was a faithful follower of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, always quick to answer. Keenly observant and curious, JoAnn was smart and had a sharp wit. She loved to tease, sing silly songs, make funny faces and cry “elder abuse!” to give people a reason to laugh. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening as well as wildlife and people watching.

But what gave JoAnn the most joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed hosting holidays, family dinners and grandchildren sleepovers which usually involved baking, a movie and games. She was their number one fan and attended every event she could for as long as she was able.

JoAnn was perpetually interested in the lives of those she loved, and she was happiest when she knew that her family was healthy, happy and thriving. Even though she didn’t have much, she was generous and willing to help in any way she could if it meant easing the burden of others.

JoAnn is survived by her children Jim and Linda Oakes, Lisa and Larry Cathey and Kathy and Derrel (Chip) Webb; grandchildren Nicole and Egan Royal (Ashlyn and Zach Starr, Cade), Chris and Jacki Haby (Brennan and Liam), Mathew and Chelsea Oakes (Hayden, Connor, Lincoln, Griffin), Stephanie Pack (Addison and Jaxon), Kimberly and Matt Becker (Hannah and Caleb), Jennifer and Bobby Morgan (Peyton, Ava and Ellie), Kaitlyn Webb and Joshua Webb. She also leaves behind nephews and nieces George and Steven Dempsey-Gidley, Danielle and Jared Coleson (Sebastian), Travis and Allie Gidley (Bennett) and Jessica Gidley, Cousins Randy and Sandy Day, John Day and Brian Day and their families and many dear friends.

JoAnn’s passing leaves a great void in the lives of those who loved her. Her standard good-bye of “love you more and longer” will echo in our hearts forevermore. A woman of quiet faith, she has been welcomed home by our Lord, and we take comfort in knowing this farewell is temporary.

We are deeply grateful for the wonderful angels at Tiffin House Assisted Living, who lovingly cared for her this past year.

A private service will be held at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas. For those wishing to make a contribution in her memory, her favorite charities were Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and Paralyzed Veterans.