JoAnne Maxine Byrd Johnson 67, quietly and peacefully answered God's call on the afternoon of  Saturday April 27, 2019, at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne Indiana. She was born August 8, 1951 to the late George Joseph Byrd and Mary Rollins Byrd of Sparta, Virginia.

At an early age JoAnne was baptized and joined Saint Stephens Baptist Church in Central Point, Virginia. She attended the Caroline County Public Schools and was a 1969 graduate of Union High School in            Bowling Green, Virginia She also attended Smith-Madden Business College in Richmond, Virginia.

JoAnne was employed with Fort Wayne Community Schools and worked with special needs children  for many years.  For the last ten plus years of her employment, she worked with the Easter Seals Arc of Northeast  Indiana. She loved working with and helping people with disabilities  and special needs.

JoAnne's loving smile and happy demeanor will always be remembered by those lives she touched. Known for her love of gemstones and jewelry, she was a happy person and had many friends.

She was preceded in death by her son Donald Albert Johnson and two brothers Kermit and Donald McKee Byrd.

She leaves cherished and precious memories to: a loving husband, Donald M. Johnson Fort Wayne, Indiana;four sisters Barbara O'Neal (John) Champlain, Virginia, Lelia Fortune (Keith) Bowling Green, Virginia, Donna and Lydia Byrd Ruther, Virginia; two brothers Maynard Byrd Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bennie Byrd (Donna) Fredericksburg, Virginia. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May, 4, 2019 at C.W. Edwards Funeral Home, 16476 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, Virginia 22427.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Saint Stephens Baptist Church, 29436 Sparta Road, Milford, Virginia 22514 with a viewing one prior to the service.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.