Funeral Services for Joanna Lee Haynes-Tidwell, Age 89 of Ava, Missouri will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2026 at The Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri, beginning at 10:30 AM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 9:30 AM. Burial will take place in The Ellison Cemetery, Douglas County, Missouri.
Joanna Lee Haynes-Tidwell passed away in her sleep early on August 23rd, 2026. A viewing will be held Thursday August 27th through Friday August 28th, at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri.
Joanna was born to William (Bill) Ezra Tidwell and Barbara Pearl Clibon on February 10, 1937 in Protem, Missouri. She was the oldest of six girls. They were always “the girls”, by the way. Never “the daughters” or “the sisters”, just “the girls”. Joanna herself was known by many names such as Jodi, Mother, Sis, Grandma (or simply Gma), Great Grandma, and Great Great Grandma. Each name representing a different chapter of her life or cherished relationship. Joanna moved to Oregon during her childhood where she won a penmanship award in the 3rd grade. However, she ended up back in Missouri to graduate from Ava High School. She was a part of the pep squad and ran with the “town kids” even though she was a farm girl. Shortly after graduation, Joanna married the man who would give her 5 children: Nickolas, Sarah, Dougie, Kellye, and Kenny.
Once her children were born, Joanna returned to school at the University of Missouri Kansas City to become an English teacher. She began nurturing students at her alma mater, Ava High, in 1965 and continued to work across several districts. Joanna loved her work so deeply that she earned a second degree in library science while living in Memphis, TN at the University of Memphis and even completed coursework toward a doctoral degree at the University of Memphis, TN. Her career in education spanned almost 4 decades but by 2002, it was time to retire.
Hitting the road with her trusted minivan, Joanna relocated from Houston, Texas to Springfield, MO and was off on new adventures. Kept company by whatever audiobook she had borrowed from any one of her sisters, her travels took her to Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina, allowing her to be present for birthdays, soccer games, and family dinners of her ever growing family. Joanna always had a baby on her hip—her little sisters, her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. She thrived in the joyful chaos of childhood and showed her love through handmade crocheted blankets and scarves, each stitch an act of devotion.
Joanna made use of her passport, leaving the country several times. Her first trip was with her sister, Susie, and students across Europe. She later went with her grandson, Jay, and sister-in-law, Doris Haynes to Spain and Italy in 2012. While there they saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and even parasailed along the Mediterranean Sea!! Not to be outdone, she went again to Europe with her granddaughter Katie in 2014. This time they explored Germany, Prague, the Swiss Alps, and France. At 76 years old, she easily kept up with 17 year old Katie as they climbed the Eiffel Tower.
Joanna was many things in her life; a dedicated scout for the best clothing selection at Wal-Mart and Kohl’s, an avid hunter of state quarters, and a lifelong ice cream lover, her long red acrylic nails shining bright through it all. She was guided through life by her devotion to Jesus Christ, which she often expressed through singing in the choir.
Joanna witnessed extraordinary change in her lifetime, from seeing her first television as a teenager to raising four children by the time man walked on the moon. Through it all, one thing remained constant: she was deeply and fiercely loved. Joanna is survived by two of her sisters, Donna and Mary; 3 of her children, Nick (Pam), Sarah, and Kenny (Deborah); 9 grandchildren, Mark (Mandy), Julie (Daniel), Jana (Cameron), Nichole (Johnny), Janie (Terry), Andrew (Ashley), Rachael (Dee), Jay, Katie (Anna); 14 great grandchildren, Mark Jr., Zach (Catylin), MaKaleb, Mickolas, Hannah, Maliyha, Capri, Isabella, Emma, TJ, Jackson, JT, Felton, and Savannah; 1 great great grandchild, Raelyn, and surprise, another one on the way!
Joanna will be reunited with those who preceded her in death: her loving parents; Bill and Barbara; sisters, Leonora (Punky), Susie, and Myra (Skip); and children, Dougie and Kellye.
