Mary JoAnn Sweat Smart Wade was born July 3, 1940 in Waycross GA to Dixie Eunice Sweat, and spent most of life in Bacon County. She attended Bacon County schools, being part of the class of 1958. She married Donald Alton Wade in 1958 and began a family. Together they reared six children in Bacon County. She completed her high school diploma when she was 30 and the children were all in school. She was an avid Christian, having been the 1st member permitted entry at age 14 by the founding members of the Evangelist Temple, the First Church of the Nazarene today. She maintained her membership there life-long.

In 1974, she contracted a slow-growing brain tumor that was successfully excised, but returned to be removed again in '78, '79, and '84. During this last procedure, she suffered a stroke that took away much mobility on the left side of her body. In 1990, she had major facial skeletal structure rebuilt to repair cumulative damage around her right orbital socket. Never did family or friends hear her complain about this lasting ailment. It was this that eventually claimed her life, after 51 years of grace, in hospice care in Alma. She spent 14 years convalescing at Twin Oaks, where she was well cared.

She is predeceased by her mother, her legal father James Dwight Smart, Sr, and her biological father Henry Coleman Lee; her sisters Sandra Smart Straley and Elaine Smart Mann; and her brothers James Dwight Smart, Jr and Harry Donley Lee.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Don Wade; her sisters Reba Smart Griffin, Shirley Lee DeVaughn, and Kathy Davis; as well as brothers Rocky Lane Lee and Maxie Tip Lee. All six children remain: Mark Anthony (spouse Lori, Kansas), Wesley Shane (spouse Teresa, Alma), Alton Lane (spouse Sharon, Alma), Donna Jo Rensenhouse (spouse Jim, LaGrange), Laura Ann Wade Jones (Alma), and Angela Kay Davis (spouse Tom, Alma). Her 26 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren survive her as well as many nieces, nephews, other grand relatives and in-laws

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM at First Church of the Nazarene with Dr. Doug Carter officiating. She will be laid to her deserved rest at Corinth Church cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Memory of JoAnn Wade to the Church of the Nazarene 202 W. 20th St. Alma, Georgia 31510 or Twin Oaks Nursing Home 301 S. Baker St. Alma, Georgia 31510.

Active pallbearers will be Peyton Wade, Bradley Wade, Thomas Davis, Caleb Davis, Sam Rensenhouse, Dakota Wade and Brandon Wade. The staff of Twin Oaks will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Crosby Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.