Joanne Brooks Johnson

Joanne Brooks Johnson was born on December 3, 1940, in Bolivar, Tennessee, to Hellen Katherine Blalock Brooks and Alonzo Hall Brooks. She was the youngest of three children, growing up alongside her brother, Jessie Hall Brooks, and her sister, Jeannette Katherine Brooks Priebe. Joanne graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1958, a place that remained an important part of her life for many years.

Following high school, Joanne worked for Dr. R. E. Wilhite at Old Hatchie Veterinary Clinic—often described as her favorite job, second only to being a mother. Over the years, her most cherished role was raising her three children. In addition to being a devoted mom, Joanne worked in many capacities throughout the community, including serving as a teacher’s aide and librarian's assistant at Bolivar Central High School, a secretary at Western State, a secretary for the State of Tennessee, and as Youth Director and Music Director at First Methodist Church of Bolivar. Joanne had a deep-seated love for young people and an uncommon patience that allowed her to speak into their lives in a meaningful way. Those she mentored and taught knew she genuinely loved them to the core, and that trust made her influence lasting. Music was a lifelong passion for Joanne. She took voice lessons as a child, possessed a beautiful soprano voice, and sang solos as well as in the church choir for many years. She also shared her gift by teaching voice lessons to others. Her life beautifully reflected her dedication to service, faith, and family.

Joanne had many hobbies over her lifetime and was surprisingly creative, always loving a good project. She was a talented seamstress who made countless dresses for her daughter, Julianna, and detailed costumes for her children to ride on floats, march in parades, and knock on doors at Halloween. She also created ceramics, decorated cakes, crocheted, and quilted. Joanne loved animals deeply and spent very few years of her life without a dog by her side. For a season, she raised beautiful purebred Shetland Sheepdogs. An avid gardener, Joanne completed the intensive program to become a Master Gardener, a course she absolutely loved because it combined her passion for plants, education, and service to her community.

Joanne was deeply civic-minded and dedicated many years to preserving the history and character of her community. She served on the Historic Zoning Commission and was actively involved with the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA). She was also involved with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for Hardeman County Schools. Joanne was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and greatly enjoyed researching genealogy, finding satisfaction in tracing family roots and preserving the stories of generations past.

Joanne married Palmon Joe Johnson on June 15, 1958. Their marriage was tragically cut short by Palmon’s untimely death in December of 1967. She later married Joe Carter Fulghum on December 1, 1968; they were divorced in December of 1985.

Joanne is survived by her three children: Alex William Johnson (Janice Hackney) of Huntsville, Alabama; Julianna Johnson Craft (James Christopher) of Bartlett, Tennessee; and Joe Carter Fulghum II of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

She is also survived by five grandchildren: John Hudson Craft (Mary Julia) of Spring Hill, Tennessee; Joanna Joy Craft of Marion, Ohio; Elijah Cade Craft of Bartlett, Tennessee; Ross Brooks Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee; and Anna Grace Johnson of Santa Monica, California.

Joanne was blessed with three great-grandchildren: Elianna Geneva Craft, Orson Rex Craft, and Callan James Craft, all of Spring Hill, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Jessie Hall Brooks and Jeanette Katherine Brooks Priebe; and her spouses.

Joanne will be remembered for her love of the Lord, her devotion to her family, her commitment to her community, and the steady, thoughtful presence she offered to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Hardeman County Carl Perkins Center or to First Methodist Church of Bolivar, Tennessee. Donations may be made online at:

https://www.carlperkinscenter.org/you-can-help/donate

https://www.firstmethodistbolivar.org/donate