JoAnn Jones

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JoAnn Jones, 83, of Ankeny, IA passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on November 25^th, 2023. Visitation will be on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home with her family present from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.  on Saturday, December 2nd at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 3415 3rd St., in Des Moines. A private family burial will be held at Oralabor Cemetery in Ankeny.

JoAnn was born on February 7^th, 1940, to Leona and Jerome Southers in East Moline, IL.

Preceding her in death were her parents Leona Lewis and Jerome Southers, husband Isaac H. Jones, Jr., her brother Reggie Southers, her sisters Doris Dixon and Norma Bragg and son-in law Robert McGregor.

Left to cherish her memories is her daughter Saretha McGregor, sons Kevin & Carmen Jones, Isacc & Lois Jones, & Steven Jones. Siblings Quincy Southers, Shirley Johnson, Joyce & Hope Carter, Harriette & Ronnie Beasley, Michael & Nancy Southers & Gene Rich. Along with nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and a host of adopted children and grandchildren.

JoAnn was one of the 1^st Black Majorette’s at Tech High School in Des Moines, IA. She then received her bachelor’s in nursing to become a Registered Nurse and further continued her education to receive an Administration of Business Development degree. JoAnn went from cleaning operating room instruments early in her career to running the entire Operating Room; to include training all new doctors and nurses and setting their schedules. She ended up as the Head of the OR at Mercy and the Assistant Head of the OR at the VA where she retired from. Upon retiring JoAnn surprised everyone from feeding baby tigers to taking up hunting and killing two deer on her own with a shotgun; of which she was an incredibly good shot. JoAnn also attended Citizen Police Academy training in Des Moines, IA. She then became a Red Cross volunteer serving two tours of duty during Hurricane Katrina. JoAnn also assisted with wildfires in California as well as other volunteer tours and eventually retired from volunteering across the United States due to her health.

Throughout JoAnn’s entire life from a small child until she took her last breath, she was always serving the lord. She loved to garden and plant flowers which was her private time to speak with the Lord. This included being a Youth Director at Mount Zion Baptist Church for over four decades, holding prominent positions within Central District Baptist Association over the years; as well as being the Secretary at Mount Zion Baptist Church all the way up until the day she passed. Service and compassion for others was really the essence that embodied her soul. Her entire life reflected that as she talked the talked and when everyone could not believe it, she always walked the walk. JoAnn Jones left her imprint on everyone she loved over the years as well as on each soul she met.

Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of JoAnn and her family.