Ms. Joan Elaine Garrett, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend to many passed away peacefully at her home on November 27, 2017. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 24, 1939 along with her twin brother John Willard Garrett II to her loving parents John Willard Garrett and Viola Hammelman Garrett. The Garrett family, including older sister Patricia Ann Garrett Bartay, moved to West University Place, Texas in the early 1940s.
Throughout her life, Joanie was a kind, thoughtful, and fiercely independent person who persevered with grace. Although she contracted polio at the age five which limited her ability to walk, Joanie did not allow this to prevent her from doing what she loved. Joanie was an active child that enjoyed participating in a variety of activities such as swimming, archery, and the arts. She also excelled academically. Joanie graduated from M. B. Lamar High School in Houston, Texas before shining as a student at the University of Houston where she won numerous art awards and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. While teaching for over 20 years at the Houston Independent School District, she continued her education by obtaining a Masters degree in Library Science from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
Joanie was a talented artist capable of producing art and crafts in various forms from colorful ceramics and pottery to glorious stained glass pieces to jewelry to crochet. She was never lacking for creative ideas and was particularly adept at creating large stained glass panels featuring hummingbirds or flowers. In addition to Joanie’s artistic talents, she was a social butterfly easily making friends with her sweet natured personality and knack for connecting with people she met in various places such as the West University United Methodist Church, the San Jacinto Model Railroad Club, her Polio support groups, and various RV parks around the country.
In addition to the love and affection she showered upon her family throughout the years, Joanie held a special love for her cats that always served as faithful companions in her daily life and travels. During summers, Joanie travelled extensively with her parents to many places across the western United States but she was always drawn to the mountains. Joanie enjoyed many peaceful summers in South Fork, Colorado as she was captivated by its beauty and the many close friends she had made in the small town over the years.
Joanie was preceded in death by her parents John Willard Garrett and Viola Hammelman Garrett, and her sister Patricia Ann Garrett Bartay. She is survived by her twin brother John W. Garrett II and his wife Monique as well as many beloved nieces and nephews including Steven John Garrett and Michelle Stapleton McIlvoy.
A memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on December 2, 2017 with interment immediately following at the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery located at 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
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