Joanne was such a special, sweet lady and admired by so many. She was an encouragement to me with her phone calls, notes, and friendly smile. Joanne will be dearly missed but we know we'll be seeing her again in heaven. I will be praying for John and the rest of the family. 

In Christ
Richard Johnson
Crowley's Ridge College, Paragould, Arkansas

Joanne’s sister, Betty was my dear friend and got to know Joanne through her and later got to get to worship with and learn to love Joanne and John. What a dear precious couple. Thankful we “do not have to grieve like those who have no hope” and now look forward to our reunion in Heaven. Sydney

Death come to everyone, last Sunday night it came to our family.  Some of us can talk about it, some can't, some can weep, some can't, but we all feel the tremendous loss...

Today is far from Childhood--
But up and down the hills
I held her hand the tighter--
Which shortened all the miles--
                          --Emily Dickinson

Joanne was my older sister who introduced, affirmed, initiated, protected, advised, chaperoned, encouraged, consoled, and corrected me--"hold your shoulders up!", "don't slouch", "pull up your socks!", but she was always kind.  When I couldn't get the arithmetic problem she'd sit down and patiently, calmly work through it with me.  She taught me how to fix my hair, how to embroider, how to garnish a plate of goodies. She even let me drive her first car, a snazzy little Metropolitan.  She took a wide-eyed me to my first live theatre--Guys and Dolls--which included dressing up, eating in a nice restaurant, and having a ball!  When I was away in college, she'd stay late at her Memphis office to type some of my term papers.  She dazzled me with her exacting eye for harmony, balance, and beauty in a room that made the end result look effortless.  Naturally, I grew up wanting to be just like her---alas!  Not even her tiny foot, or my big one, would make a dent in the large footprints she left.
Her personal frugality made possible her quiet but steady generosity to many, while her unselfish heart caused her to not only lovingly care for our aged parents, but she did the yeoman's work for her elderly mother-in-law, her alcoholic uncle, and her widowed, childless aunt.  That was while she was working a forty-hour week and serving her husband.......yet she always had time for me and mine.
Pericles said, "What you leave behind is not what's engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."  Joanne left so much of herself with us.
"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing." Prov.10:7
























 

Before I knew Joanne, I met John when we both taught at Oakhaven High School. At some point thereafter I was invited to their home on Churnak Cove, where I met Joanne and their delightful Boston Terriers.  Although I was single at the time, my association with John and Joanne grew after I married Marilyn in 1972. From that point, our friendship has remained steadfast through many mountaintop and valley experiences. No woman could equal the one described in Proverbs 31, but Joanne comes pretty close. She worked outside the home in very responsible administrative positions for many years. In addition, she showed great love for her church, her family, and her friends. At one point, both her parents were in the nursing home. She was a faithful caregiver while never forsaking her role as both a homemaker and employee. Joanne was a wonderful cook, and we always marveled at both the taste and appearance of every meal she served.  We could always expect to see a small plant in a clear vase, lovingly placed on the kitchen countertop.  And we often saw her wearing purple, her favorite color. She had a tender heart, and tears came easily when there was a sadness or sweetness involving friends or family. She had the gifts of organization, hospitality, and mercy. She along with John was gracious to everyone she knew. For the last few years, we have observed John’s caring for Joanne. Those are tender moments we’ll always cherish and remember. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."  Psalm 116:15.

I remember Joanne as a fiercely independent, intelligent, darkly humorous woman who I had the privilege of knowing since 2000 when my parents moved next door to John and Joanne in Olive Branch. I remember her kindness toward me as I was living with my parents for a few months before moving to Memphis. I remember her love of their precious toy poodles. And most of all, I remember her love and adoration of her husband John. I miss stopping by their house with my daughter Jessa who'd scamper around their living room chasing the dog and seeing them both laugh with glee, remarking how Jessa had grown. I miss her now and I'll always remember her.

Aunt Jo would pull out a riding lawnmower, puppies, great food, a comfortable spot, a book, photo album, coloring pages - anything she could have ready to entertain, delight, or soothe her visitors - my brother and I. We knew that fun was in store at her house because she would have a stash of bubbles (or a dog named Bubbles) to delight us while the adults visited. Her home was a treasure trove of fragile lovely things that shimmered and beckoned. She had crystal bells, an organ with all kinds of interesting stops and pulls, sculptures, fine china - all the things a home with kiddos running around didn't have. Sitting at her table was an event for the senses. Uncle John praying over us in his solemn, stately radio voice, reminding us of the deep matters of life, was the only thing that could tear us away from the contemplation of our stacked-high plate of goodies. We got to dress up to go to her house - I made sure my bows were straight, and my ruffles ironed. We would sit on a porch swing, or at table, or in my adult days on her bedside and talk. She had that listening understanding ear to all troubles. She created - from scratch - a delightful stuffed bunny for my recovery from my first-ever surgery in 6th grade. She could correct us with a look that said 'I'm surprised - I expected better of you.' Her laugh was delightful, her manner was upright and the standard. Confiding in her was a great privilege. A more sympathetic listener you could never hope for. I hope you got to know her while she was among us - she was lovely.

OBITUARY

Joanne Snyder Knight

October 18, 1934 – September 29, 2019

Brantley Funeral Home

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