Obituary of JoAnne Johnson Andrews

JoAnne Johnson Andrews October 30, 1928 - August 8, 2014 Pittsboro JoAnne Johnson Andrews, born October 30, 1928, died August 8. She was the daughter of Robert H. and Alice Terry Johnson of Chatham County and the wife of the late Ike Andrews. In addition to her parents and husband, JoAnne was predeceased by her daughter, Patti Andrews, her infant son, her six sisters and her brother. JoAnne is survived by her daughter Alice Andrews Joyce and son-in-law Bob Joyce; grandson Kevin Andrews Joyce; granddaughter Laura Alice Joyce; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Steve and Holly Coon and their family. JoAnne and Ike met at the Siler City drug store soon after Ike returned from Germany following WWII. They were married in 1947 and lived in Carrboro while Ike was a student at UNC and JoAnne worked for the telephone company. They settled in Pittsboro and then Siler City where JoAnne volunteered as a girl scout leader, taught Sunday School and served as a county-wide volunteer leader for the Red Cross and the public library. Along the way she became a noted cook, an avid golfer and a feisty bridge player. JoAnne and Ike loved to dance and to cheer on the Heels. They took an active part in social, political and moral events of their day. Later in her life, JoAnne enjoyed her job at Quintiles, spending time with her friends, and making frequent trips to Florida to visit her sisters and their families. She was devoted to her grandchildren—never turning down a game of cards, or chess, or Scrabble, or ping pong—and remained very close with them as they grew up. JoAnne always cherished Christmas and birthdays, and would arrive practically at dawn on Thanksgiving with a car full of food and her famous yeast rolls. JoAnne enjoyed an energetic life until a stroke in 2008 and increasing disability due to arthritis. During these years she maintained a valiant effort to be strong for her family, and remained a central part of their lives until her death. A service to remember JoAnne will take place on Tuesday, August 12 at 4:00 in the Grumman Chapel at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, where JoAnne was a member. Burial will be at the Bonlee Community Cemetery at a later date. Any memorials may be directed to UUMC for community outreach.