Joanne Colvin

Joanne Colvin, peacefully passed into God’s arms on May 29, 2024, in Pryor, Oklahoma at the age of 90. She was born on February 9, 1934 to Theodore J. and Julia Sparkman in Wallace, Idaho. Joanne is survived by her daughters, Kim (Mark) Jenkins of Pryor, Cathy (Mike) Clements of Sedalia, Missouri, and Julie (Gene) Cooper of Yukon, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Lucas (Andrea) Dooley, Melissa (Errik) Woods, Josh Burnshire, Jenna (Travis) Noland, Elizabeth (Niko) Clements, and Emily Clements; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Griffin Noland, J.J. Burnshire, Atty and Aithen Bassett, and Asher Dooley. Also surviving are her sister, Pat (Dean) Eaton of Vacaville, California; and relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mary Grace Crowell. 

Joanne worked at various accounting firms throughout her life as a tax and payroll accountant. She enjoyed her work and worked with her clients to ensure accuracy in detail. Even after her retirement from Kenneth Prather, CPA, at the age of 70, she continued to enjoy her work, working part-time during tax seasons.

Though Joanne enjoyed her work, her greatest gifts were the life lessons and experiences she shared with her family. The happiest moments for her were family dinners. Whether family gathered in Joanne’s home over soup, in a grandchild’s home for pizza or a delivered home-cooked meal, she enjoyed the company of family. Many birthdays for her were celebrated at Mia’s with family gathering for conversation and laughter. The blessing, for her, was always in the gathering. Though reserved, Joanne possessed a delicious sense of humor, visible in her smile and an infectious laugh that brought joy to those fortunate enough to experience it. As a woman of few words, she was able to communicate with facial expressions that clearly conveyed her thoughts. In her final days, though she could not speak much, Joanne continued to communicate with family through her smile, a leveled and loving gaze, a furrowed brow, or a simple roll of the eyes. She leaves behind for her family members a love of cats, a love of music, especially jazz, and a love of movies. Perhaps, her most significant legacy may be the powerful, yet quiet faith in God, forged and firmly rooted in prayer. The family will remember always as a humble woman, filled with grace and generous in spirit - - she will be missed.

The family would like to thank the health care staff who provided her with end-of-life care.

No formal services will be held. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at shipmansfuneralhome.com. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.