JoAnn Street Ecker was born in Gainesville, Texas, on June 2, 1950, to Velma Pauline "Pat" Poore and Joel Davidson Street. On the morning of Wednesday, December 16, she passed away after a relatively brief yet valiantly fought battle against aftereffects of "asymptomatic" COVID in Denison, Texas, at the age of 70. Her family would like to thank the TMC nurses, staff, and doctors for taking good care of her in her last days. Specifically, thanks to Dr. Moizuddin for his kind guidance and genuine care and to Dr. Rathod for all her support and treatment going all the way back to 1990.

The life of a person cannot possibly be fully explained in the span of just a few inches of words, but JoAnn deserves the effort. Though she didn't live an adventurous life or travel the world, JoAnn led a full and loving life, nevertheless, and touched the hearts of many, many people through the years.

JoAnn was the first born of three daughters. Stories of JoAnn as a child often involve her desire to root for the underdog or her tendency towards drama. This latter part makes much sense, though, as JoAnn ended up being a talented speaker and actress in school. Though her work in college focused on communications, her family told her she should have been an attorney since she argued so often (a trait which must have been passed down to her daughter… JoAnn often joked with her daughter that she could "argue with a fence post... and win!")

In December of 1968, she met Dan Ecker. They married the following year on May 31, 1970, and what a marriage they had! There were a myriad of ups and downs through the years, as many people experience, but their love was steadfast and true. In fact, they were married until just one week before their 50th wedding anniversary, when Dan passed away this previous May. They taught their only child what a marriage should be, and she will forever be grateful for that legacy.

JoAnn spent the majority of her adult life working for one company: The Herald Democrat. In fact, she was there so long that it was still the Sherman Democrat when she began! In her time there, JoAnn did many things. She started as a typesetter in the composing room (a job which doesn't even exist anymore). In 1980, however, she took a hiatus when her daughter was born. The next six years were spent focused on loving and taking care of her family.

Once her daughter was in school, JoAnn returned to the Democrat, this time to be the librarian and take over writing obituaries. She was so stressed at first that she would not be able to handle writing them as well as the woman who was retiring, but JoAnn worked hard. She viewed the services she provided as a ministry to grieving families. As time went on, she also became the "birthday lady," keeping a record of and publishing both birthdays and anniversaries on the front page of the paper. Her last job to take on in addition to the obituaries and birthdays was as the religion page editor. In all these roles, these people whom JoAnn served and those she worked with for so many years became an additional family to her that she loved with all her heart.

At church, JoAnn served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, helping create a Biblical foundation for young elementary-aged children. She loved her time singing in the Forest Avenue choir and did so for the past 32 years (though she has been singing in church choirs since she was in high school). In more recent years, after JoAnn retired, she began to work part-time in the FABC office. She hated the computer but loved "taking care of" Pastor Brian and calling and checking in on church members each week. Her absence will be felt keenly by many.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Heather Kelley and husband Ken of Denison; grandson Kaleb Kelley and wife Terra of Sherman; granddaughter Hannah Kelley of Sherman; great grandchildren Dayton and Denver Kelley of Sherman; two sisters, Janet Cox and husband Wally of Gainesville, and Janelle Jackson of Rockdale; sister-in-law Jana Bryant and husband Ernie of Thackerville, Oklahoma, and sister-in-law Edith Allison of Abiquiu, New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews who, though not seen often enough, are loved nonetheless, and many "chosen family" friends. JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Ecker, and parents, Joel D. Street and Pat Street.

Pallbearers will be Ken Kelley, Kaleb Kelley, Bill Kelley, Randy Clark, Ryan Cox, Brad Earnhart, Ben Johnson, and Robert "RT" Taylor.

Viewing will be held on Friday, December 18, at Forest Avenue Baptist Church in Sherman from 2 - 3 pm. Services will be at the Church at 3 pm followed by graveside at West Hill Cemetery. Waldo Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Forest Avenue Baptist Building Fund at 106 W. Forest Ave, Sherman.