Funeral service for Mrs. JoAnne Owen White, age 94, of Fayetteville, TN will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Donnie Browning officiating. Burial will follow at Blanche Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 11am until 1pm on Saturday at Higgins.
JoAnne was born November 4, 1928, in the Coldwater community of Lincoln County, TN to the late Grover Cleveland and Lillie Sue Bryan Owen. She was a 1944 graduate of Blanche High School and went on to obtain a degree from Cumberland College, and her master’s in Library Science from Middle Tennessee State University. Mrs. White was a devoted educator. She taught English and was librarian for many years in the Lincoln County School System. She began her career at Flintville High School, then on to Blanche High School, Central High School, Boonshill High School, and finally Central Junior High School before she retired in 1991. She also taught English as a second language in night classes, as well as adult GED classes. JoAnne was a member of the Senior Round Dozen, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Retired Teachers Association. She loved her church family at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, especially being part of the YY’s and delivering for Meals on Wheels. Mrs. White passed away September 18, 2023, surrounded by family at Lincoln Manor in Fayetteville.
Survivors include her daughters, Donna Jo (Bill) Sharp, Sonya Bryant, and Catherine Sgambati; grandchildren, Patricia Bryant Tapp, Amanda Bryant (Justin) Edwards, Brooke Sgambati (Peter Vizcarrondo), Rebecca Sgambati (Roger Eason), Michael Sharp, and David Sharp; great-grandchildren, Savannah Tapp, Joe Sharp, Blair Boldt, Emil Eason, Isabel Vizcarrondo; and brother, Harold Douglas Owen. In addition to her parents Mrs. White was preceded in death by her brother Donald Gilbert Owen and his wife Wanda; sister-in-law, Jeannette Owen; and sons-in-law, William M. Bryant, Jr. and Richard Sgambati.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mrs. White by donating to the Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association, in care of Will Locke, 2503 Pulaski Highway, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. JoAnne Owen White.
Mrs. White will always be remembered as one of the sweetest people and teachers I met at Central High School
Hey Sonya…so very sorry to hear about your mom. My wife & I both thought a lot of your Mama. Hope your are doing well. Sending you love.
JoAnne was my daughter’s teacher at Central Junior High School. She always felt loved by her teacher. Her gift was giving each student self esteem in her classroom. As a retired teacher, I came to regard JoAnne as my friend. What a blessing to know this incredibly kind woman.
So sorry to find Mrs.Whites obituary. Mrs. White was a wonderful teacher and friend. I would ride to work in the afternoon with her and Mrs.Smith. prayers for the family
I will always remember her kindness
REST IN Peace Mrs White.
Mrs. White was my English teacher at Central High, and my homeroom. She was always so sweet, kind and soft spoken. I am a better person to have known and learned from her. My prayers are with all the family and friends.
Sonya, Donna Jo, and Cathy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a special lady. I feel blessed to have known all your family and her parents, and her brothers and their families. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have such wonderful and fond memories of time spent with you, especially during our high school years. I always thought of you as sisters I never had and wonderful, special friends.
Wonderful Teacher and caring Lady !!!
Mrs White was a lovely person. She was so sweet and kind to all. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Mrs Joanne was an angel. She put up with mine and Cathy’s antics all through school and was always so pleasant even when she was mad at us. May she rest in peace and soar in eternity. She’s had her wings for a long time and now she fly. ❤️
RIH Mrs.White! I learned alot from u.