On February 20, 2017, JoAnn Douglas, age 91, of Alma, passed away at Twin Oaks Nursing Home, where she had resided for several years.

Joann Vance Douglas was born July 21, 1925, to Elmore and Stella Aldridge Vance in Avery County, NC. She was the 9th of 14 children. Growing up in the North Carolina mountains, she learned to cook on a Home Comfort wood stove when she was so small that she had to stand on a chair. She learned how to work hard and take care of a family at an early age and only stopped when she was no longer physically able.

She finished school in Crossnore, NC. In the 1940's she moved to Florida with her sister Ethel where she worked as a waitress and in a citrus packing plant. Both sisters met young military veterans from Georgia.

On July 28, 1948, she married George Douglas, Jr. in Shell Creek, TN and they were married until his death in September 2009. They lived in Avery County, NC before moving to Bacon Co,. GA in the 1950's; they farmed for several years. After moving away from the farm, she started working for the Bacon County Schools in food service, beginning as a janitor at the Elementary School and retired as manager of the High School cafeteria.

She was known for her cooking; some of her most-requested dishes included fried chicken, dressing, biscuits, fudge, and pound cake. She rarely followed or wrote down a recipe. She enjoyed feeding people and having people enjoy her food. A member of Douglas Chapel Baptist Church for many years, she attended faithfully while her health allowed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Jack, Ben, Buster, James, Richard, and her sisters Hazel Aldridge, Chloe Vance, Ethel Porter, Snow Vance, and Leo Shoemaker; her husband, George Douglas Jr. her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Renee Douglas, and several of her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by two sisters, Polly Daniels and Bonnie Turbyfill (Rhonda) of Newland, NC; children George Dewayne Douglas (Wanda) of Warwick, GA; Lena Douglas Lynch (Dale) of Baxley, GA; Susan Douglas Anthony of Hale Center, TX; and Michael Vance Douglas (Diana Entrekin) of Alma. Also, eight grandchildren: Willie Douglas (Jessica); Candi Cash (Ryan); Leah Peacock (Shane); Alexander Anthony and Benjamin Anthony; Melissa Douglas; Michael Douglas Jr. (Victoria) and William Douglas. She is also survived eleven great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, February 22 with Pat Sellers officiating. Pallbearers will be Willie Douglas, Alexander Anthony, Benjamin Anthony, Michael Douglas Jr, William Douglas, and Shane Peacock. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Harrison Carter, MD, and staff, and the staff and residents of Twin Oaks Nursing Home.

The body will lie in state for 1 hour prior to services. Burial will follow in Douglas Chapel Cemetery.
Crosby Funeral Home of Alma is in charge of arrangements.