At an early age, JoAnn was baptized and added to the Lord’s Body at the Capernaum Church of Christ. She was a graduate of Carver High School and attended Teachers’ College (now Winston-Salem State University).
In 1965, she relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania where she resided for the next 60 years. She married Pink Merritt, Jr. When illness incapacitated him, JoAnn lovingly cared for him until he passed in 2017.
JoAnn was an industrious person, employed at Spruce Manor as a Nurse’s Aide for 45 years prior to retirement.
JoAnn was an individual with uncanny wit. She loved her family dearly and was a devoted homemaker. She possessed superb cooking skills. She had a passion for going to the casino, lottery scratch offs, and playing the numbers. The Game Show Network stayed on her television which helped keep her mind sharp. She will certainly be missed.
In addition to her parents and husband, was proceeded in death by her daughter Robin Lowery and son, John Oliver; twin brothers Robert D. and Charles R. Williams; daughter-in-law Genean Merritt and stepmother Mable Oliver.
On Friday evening, August 21, 2026, due to an extended illness, JoAnn peacefully transitioned to eternal rest surrounded by family in Akron, Ohio where she resided the last year.
The remembrance of shared love brings solace to her remaining survivors:
Daughters, Pamela Smart (Martin) and Jacalyn Seigle (Kelvin); son Allan Merritt (Genean); brother Michael Wilkerson (Lynn); son-in-law Jeffrey Lowery; sister-in-law, Jacquelyn H, Williams.
10 Grandchildren: Denicia who lovingly took good care of her for 10 years; Shenise; Vanessa; Mia; Christopher; Jeffery Jr. (JJ); Alea; Aaron; Dmitri; Jacob.
6 Great Grandkids: Jahmair who was always by her side, Samera, Amiyah, Raiden, Myles and Serenity
Special cousins/sisters: Doris Norman and Barbara Perry
And a host of other cherished family members and friends.
She showered love on all her family and will be greatly missed.
The family will greet relatives and friends at Auman’s Inc., 391 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life Service will promptly commence at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Mausoleum committal will immediately follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606.
