Ms. Sellars was an amazing teacher who I think of often.  She was such a wonderful artist.  She was a disciplinarian but I wish more teachers were like her today.  She will be missed.

I have known Joan since 1990.  She and I taught together at Barnwell.  We shared many a laugh during those years.  I can look around my house and pick out all of the furniture we bought together at auctions! I have since moved from Atlanta, but looked forward to my annual holiday card/letter from Joan. Today I decided to google her because I was thinking about my dear friend.  I did not realize she had passed. My heart hurts for the loss of a woman who truly believed in the strength of friendship.  Her holiday parties (5-6) per season were her way of inviting each group to celebrate the birth of Jesus and kinship at once. Joan was an excellent teacher, caring mother and true friend. My prayers are with her son, Reid  and his children and her sister Trudy.   I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Ms. Sellars was my favorite teacher! I am 43 and still reflect on her teachings today!

Joan and I met and became friends in 1972.  She was truly an individual who used her many gifts and talents to help others.  My life was blessed many times over by the goodness of her heart towards me, my family, and knowing all she did for others.
Please know you are in my prayers Reid.
God's peace, Margaret Maranville Stenglein Carnley

Ms. Sellars was a remarkable teacher.  She instilled a love of many things in me from my time in her second grade class, things that I have carried to my kids.   A love a "Brer Rabbit", the phonics we learned each day and a love for life.   My heart goes out to you as you remember the wonderful times and miss your loved one.   RIP

My daughter, Laura Hammond, had Joan as a 2nd grade teacher at Nancy Creek Elementary in 1985.  What a teacher she was!  She really knew how to teach phonetics and make it fun.  A highlight of the year was the special play with crazy costumes.  My daughter's class was the last year for Joan at Nancy Creek, but her memory certainly lives on in our minds and hearts.  Our prayers and sympathy are with all of you, Joan's family.  May each of you be blessed with countless cherished memories that will keep her forever alive in your hearts.  May God bless each of you as you grieve for dear Joan.  With fondest memories from Ann Hammond, mother of former student Laura Hammond
P.S.  Laura is now married with two precious little girls and teaches kindergarten in public school in Florida.

I first knew Joan when I was about 8 and she was 9. I didn't know that there could be a position of CEO of the neighborhood kids, but there was and she was it. What a childhood we had as her minions. There were marathon games to be played, plots to be hatched, cubhouses to be built and defended, plays to be put on(rehearsals, costumes, tickets, parental audiences), younger children to be ‘managed' (sorry, Trudy), ‘wars' to be fought in the woods and critters to be found in the creek. Boring was not a word I would ever attach to my childhood.
I was blessed to have the imagination of my friend Joan Troutman to help create it.

After reading the comments that have been stated regarding Mrs. Sellers it reminds me why she had such an impact on the people around her.  She was my 2nd grade teacher and I am now 45 years old and she has always been in my heart.  She knew how to connect with her students and help them bring out their strengths, ambitions, creativity and most of all the best in who they could be.  As stated by others who were some of her students I still remember the Witches outfit (yes she scared me silly but in a good way) the banana splits and of course her outspoken, creative personality.  She was very special and my heart and sympathy goes out to all who had a place in their hearts for such a special woman.
Allison Foote

Mrs. Sellars was my 2nd grade teacher at Nancy Creek.  I can honestly say that year was my favorite.  I loved listening to her read us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and other wonderful books.  She did the best VOICES!!!  I also loved being a part of the Banana Splits.  I can remember sitting outside rehearsing for weeks.  Mrs. Sellars was a true gem. I have never forgotten her and what she taught me over 30 years ago.  May you rest in peace, Mrs. Sellars.  I pray for your family that they might find comfort in this time.

Ms. Sellars was one of my all-time favorite teachers. I thought she was an amazing, outsize personality, who showed me that being sometimes loud, frequently opinionated, occasionally dramatic and always passionate about life were all awesome qualities... crucial lessons and modeling for children being raised in the conformist suburban South (well, certainly this one, at least!). I spent all eight years at Nancy Creek and my affection for her continued to expand long after my time in her classroom. I've never forgotten her. To her friends and family, I hope you can gather strength from each other and remember her always with love. My most sincere condolences to you, and my eternal thanks to a great lady.

So sorry to learn of the passing of Joan. Ball Ground was lucky to have had her part of our community for several years. What she did with the old house and property at 311 Old Canton Road was just amazing, I can only hope that someone can pick up the baton and carry on with some of the same degree of passion that Joan did, as I cannot imagine anyone doing it quite like she did. She will be missed.

Neighbors, Wyatt & Michelle, Emma, Elise and Ellie Holcomb

Joan was the best friend to my family since the early sixties.  Always knew exactly how to help without being asked.  Recently I have been on the receiving end of her caring and support.  I am truly going to miss her.  What a terrible loss for her family and all who knew her.....Phoebe Jones (Blue Ridge, Ga)

I will never forget Mrs.Sellars coming in at Halloween dressed as a witch and scaring me silly. I will never ever forget the Banana Splits. She was an amazing teacher and she will be truly missed. My heart is hurt. She is amazing. May your family find peace in your loss. RIP. Melanie Bowen Lilburn, GA

I will never forget how many years we laughed and cried together. She will be missed.  Reid, please take care.  My prayers are with you and Trudy.

We were  very sorry to learn of the passing of our former neighbor and friend Joan.  You have our deepest sympathy.  We will always remember her laughter and spontaneous wit.  Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Jim and Gloria Young

Joan was a GREAT neighbor to our family. Always having an exciting reply across the fence and thru the bushes to our boys, yell to her of, "hey Joan". Her spirited personality brought fun and excitement to any room. She will be missed. 

Our deepest condolences to Reid, the grandchildren, and family.

Joan was a unique and wonderful  educator who had an impact on every student lucky enough to share her classroom.  A spirit so large there will never be another.

We send our most heartfelt condolences to the family.
May your hearts be comforted by the wonderful memories
that you have of Joan, and may God give you Strength
and Bless You in this time of great sorrow.  You now have
a perfectly beautiful angel watching over all of you. Our
thoughts and prayers are with you.
With Love,
Gail, Chip and family

Joan was a person that combined a hard work ethic with a sense of compassion for those close to her. I got to know her from the morning walks I had with my dogs, and she would always wave to me as she went about her routine. I know how much she cared for her dogs, and her neighbors. I was deeply saddened to learn of her passing, and wish to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of the Byrd family. I'll miss seeing her walk the two dogs she had of a morning, but she is a much better place right now. My prayers are with Joan's family, and friends as they go through this difficult period. God Bless you all.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Reid and Trudy,

Joan was an inspiration to me --a true jewel who gave a sense of hope and love of life to many.  See you tomorrow as we all remember what a unique person she was.

Lydia Ann Breedlove
Atlanta, Georgia

Joan was a great neighbor to our family.  She was awesome according to our boys, always lively returning a "hey Joan" thru the bushes with "hey boys"! 

She worked like a bee leading up to her Christmas parties that will be notably missed in the holidays to come. She was such a fun and independent woman to know. 

Our deepest condolences to Reid, the grandchildren, and family.

Joan was an incredible teacher and friend. She had such a consistently generous and loyal spirit. My Christmas season will not be the same without her. My condolences to her family.  She will be sincerely missed.

Joan was a wonderful, fun loving person who loved life and all the people around her. Family was special and so were friends. She brought joy to many and will be missed. Reid, I know you will miss her so much. Trudy, you will too, of course. My prayers are with you both and your families. She loved all of you so much.

I remember Joan from high school days and am sorry to learn of her passing.
Kathy Melcher Simms

Joan was a true friend. She lit up any room she entered. I taught with her at Barnwell and looked forward to her Christmas luncheon each year. I know there will be many missing her, but our memories will be of her laugh and and always speaking her mind. I hope your memories will bring you some comfort in the days ahead.

OBITUARY

Joan Troutman Sellars

July 15, 1942 – August 15, 2013

Sandy Springs Chapel

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