Joanne Lupton, age 87, passed away on February 22, 2025, at James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield, MO with her family by her side. Joanne was born to Cecil and Bertha Buchanan in 1937 in Ava, MO.
While attending Ava High School, Joanne met her husband, Kenneth.
Joanne was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and friend.
As a stay-at-home mom, Joanne was active in her children’s lives and the PTA. She later worked as an activity director in multiple long-term care facilities. She was an active member in the churches her husband pastored during his ministry and was a great example of balancing marriage, motherhood, and ministry. Joanne also led many women’s Bible studies and was at one point a leader of WMU.
Above all else, Joanne cherished her family. She was a dedicated wife to her late husband, Ken, and a loving mother to her daughters, Sonja and Tracey. Her greatest joy was being Grandma to Courtney and Braden. She loved them so much that she and Ken moved over 500 miles away from their home to be a part of their everyday lives. She created countless cherished memories with them and took immense pride in their lives. Her latest obsession was her great-granddaughter, Ryker Mae.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, parents, and siblings, Granville Buchanan, Zola Jefferson, Lola Pettyjohn, Everett Buchanan, Wilma Atchison, and Jean Albert. She is survived by her daughter, Sonja Johnson, and her husband Charles; daughter, Tracey Wilson, and her husband Eric; granddaughter, Courtney Weter, her husband Joshua, and great-granddaughter, Ryker; grandson, Braden Wilson; sister, Norma Wood; and special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Joanne will be Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:30 P.M. in Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial following in the Dogwood Cemetery in Douglas County. Visitation will be prior to the service on Saturday at 1:30 P.M. Officiating will be Pastor Denver Fields. Memorials may be made to Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.
