Joann Beth Spooner Nance, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, wife, aunt, friend, volunteer, and professional friend-maker, passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 82.

Joann was born on January 16, 1944, to Ragan H. Spooner, Sr. and Helen Henling Spooner Ballard in Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa County, GA. Joann was soon followed by the birth of her brother Ragan H. Spooner, Jr. Following the death of their father at a young age, her mother married Robert C. Ballard, Jr., in New Orleans, LA.

The new family soon moved to Fort Worth, TX and were joined by two new siblings. The family of 6 settled in Richland Hills, Texas, where Joann and her three younger brothers were raised.

A proud member of the Birdville High School Class of 1961, Joann went on to study at Sam Houston State University. But the real education of Joann's life came through the people she loved, the families she cared for, and the countless friendships she made along the way.

Joann was a devoted mother whose children were her world. She was the proud mother of Theresa Lynn Mayberry Sloan, Vannita Ann Mayberry, and Sean Ray McCullough, Sr. She loved her family fiercely and remained deeply invested in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Joann worked at Lucas Funeral Home, Sylvania and Hurst, in Fort Worth, Texas for 20 years. Her compassion, warmth, and ability to connect with people made her a natural fit for helping families through difficult times. She understood that sometimes the most important thing you can give another person is a listening ear, a kind heart, and a little bit of comfort.

Following retirement, Joann and her beloved husband, James F."Frank" Nance, moved to San Augustine, Texas, where they cared for Frank's aging parents, as well as several aunts, uncles, and other extended family members. Caring for others was never a chore to Joann—it was simply how she lived.

Service to others was woven throughout her life. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, with the Fort Worth Jaycees, the Alzheimer's Association , and numerous other organizations and causes. If there was a way to help, Joann was usually ready to roll up her sleeves and get involved.

And then there was Joann's extraordinary ability to make friends.

She made friends EVERYWHERE she went.

Joann could walk into a room knowing no one and walk out with three new friends, two phone numbers, and probably an invitation to something. Her gift for making people feel welcome was so evident that, after moving to Brookdale Eden Estates, she was asked to join the community's welcoming committee. Apparently, it didn't take long for everyone to figure out what those who knew her best already understood: Joann was born to welcome people.

Joann's life was defined not by the number of years she lived, but by the number of lives she touched. She had an open heart, a generous spirit, a wonderful sense of humor, and an uncanny ability to make people feel like old friends.

Those who went before her

Joann was preceded in death by her fathers, Ragan H. Spooner, Sr. and Robert C. Ballard, Jr.; her mother, Helen Henling Spooner Ballard; her daughter, Vannita Ann Mayberry; her son, Scotty Nance; her in-laws James A and Winnie Nance, her brothers-in-law Chuck Nance and Kenneth Nance, her beloved husband, James F. "Frank" Nance; and her brother, Ragan H. Spooner, Jr.

Those who carry her love forward

Joann is survived by her daughter, Theresa Lynn Mayberry Sloan; her son, Sean Ray McCullough, Sr. and Eva; daughter Amy Gentry Ivy and Tim; her grandchildren, Ali McCullough and Russ; Brandon Sloan and Ashley; Chris McCullough and Halley; Sean McCullough, Jr. and Michael; Sherrel Fields and Cameron, Dakota Midkiff and Ashley, Sage McCoy, Tyler McCoy, and Cody McCoy and Jessica; and her great-grandchildren, Taylor Snowden and Charles, Collin, Colbie, Cutter, Paisleigh, Wilder, Bryson, Rylynn, Riggin, Dean, Lillian, Scott, Rhett, Buck, Colt, Hailey, Lainey, Cooper, and Gator.

She is also survived by her brothers, Robert C. Ballard Ill and Marji, and Charles S. Ballard II and Amelita, and sisters-in-law Patricia Spooner, and Wendy Nance Vaughn and Gordon, and brother-in-law Johnny Nance and Phyllis, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

The family takes comfort in knowing that Joann's legacy will continue through every person she loved, every life she touched, every story she shared, and every friendship she made.

We can only imagine that where she is now, she's already found someone to talk to, someone who needs a little help, and a welcoming committee that she has somehow already joined.

Her work here is done. Her love remains. And her friendship will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made in her name to The Alzheimer's Association .