JoAnn was born in Athens, Texas on September 4, 1939 to Rena Mae Pullins. JoAnn was blessed to have three Aunts who helped to raise her, Almeta Warren (Nanny), Pearline Gammage (Sweet) and Beulah Shelton (Aunt Beulah).

She graduated in 1957 as Salutatorian of her Fisher High School class. She was also a dedicated member of the Fisher High Alumni Association. She served on the Reunion Committee.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She joined the Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she served and demonstrated her faith and love for the Lord for over sixty years in many roles as a youth, young adult, adult, and senior. In her adult and senior years, she sang in the Missionary Chorus and the annual Women's Day Chorus. At the time of her transition, she was the President of the Mission II Auxiliary and was on the Sr. Usher Board. She also served as the past President of the Sr. Usher Board and as a captain for eachWomen's Annual Day. She also served on the City-Wide Usher Board and was recognized on March 15, 1985 for her faithful service. JoAnn demonstrated the love of God and the fruit of the Spirit in her many acts of kindness and compassion in caring for family, neighbors, friends, and those in need.

On March 15, 1958, she was united in holy matrimony with Stanford Hill, Sr. They were married for 48 years prior to his transition into the presence of the Lord. To this union, three children were born, Phyllis LaJune, Stanford, Jr., and PatrickDean.

She worked in manufacturing at the Athens Cannery, Curtis Mathis, Vassarette, and Cheerleader. She also taught night school at Bishop Heights. She was a talented seamstress and cook. She was also a meticulous gardener. She also served on the North Athens Cemetery Association

JoAnn departed this life at 1:59 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at the UT East Texas Medical Center, Athens, Texas. She was preceded by her mother, Rena Mae White, her husband, Stanford Hill, Sr., two brothers, James L. Wilson, Kenneth Ray Wilson, two sisters, Carolyn Wilson Harthrone, and Diann Louise Wilson and a special friend who was like a sister, Bennie Ruth Franks. She was also preceded in death by her aunts, Beulah Shelton, Almeta Warren, and Pearline Gammage.

She is survived by her three sons, Phil Sims (Patricia), Tacoma, Washington, Stanford Hill, Jr, Garland, TX, Patrick Hill, DeSoto, TX and her daughter, Phyllis Wright (Murphy), Desoto, TX. She is also survived by stepdaughters, Malva Wideman (Robert), Athens, TX, Michelle York (Christopher, Sr.),Longview, TX, Vivian McLaurin (Donald), Trotwood, Ohio, Lakeetia Williams, Dallas, TX, Vera J. Harvey, Irving, TX and one stepson, Michael Cook (Phyllis), Athens, TX.

She is also survived by three brothers, James Edward Brookins and Bobby Hogg, Dallas, TX and Roy Wilson (Glenda), Tracy, California, one sister, Beverly Laws, Oakland, California, one sister-in-law, Jeanette Nickerson (Arthur), Garland, TX. Special friends who were as sisters to her included Ruby Roy (Austin), Tyler, TX and Jetta Bowman, Athens, TX. Her "children" included Kaison Walker and a special nephew and niece, Manford Hill (Sheila), Athens, TX, and Terry Bowman, Athens, TX.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Porsche Ricalle Sims, Patrice Nicole Sims, Patrick Deshawn Nisley-Sims, Trevor Hill, Brianna Hill, Marvin Christopher Wright, Metra Lois Wright, M.D., ten great grandchildren, Tianna Roman, Janeya Dorfner, Kyrie Weston, Craig Greene, DeShawn Greene, Anthony Duncan, Jr., Adam Burbank, Jr., London Nisley, Mia Nisley, and Samira Battle and one great great grandchild, Ava Greene. These are the children of Phil Sims, Patrick Hill, Stanford Hill, and Phyllis Wright respectively. She is also survived by a host of other grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren through her stepdaughters and stepson.

She is also survived by a host of other family members and friends to include special friends Eldress Mary Henderson, Joan Wilson, Arlene (cousin Pokie) Robinson, Patricia Basher, Mildred Elam, Nancy and Jackie Solomon, Ira Shaw, and Vera Cumby.