Joann Poston

Joann Poston, age 86 of Gatesville, passed into God’s presence on Tuesday August 23, 2021 after a brief illness and a lifetime of living with a heart that beat its own unique way.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Gatesville, with Rev. Mark Rich officiating. Private family interment will follow at Gatesville City Cemetery.  The family will receive visitors one hour prior to services at the church.

Wanda Joann Jones Poston, was born on September 20, 1934 in Gatesville and with the exception of a few years in early adulthood, remained in Gatesville her entire life, a staunch Gatesville Hornet fan. Joann was born to Troy and Cleo Truitt Jones and she and her younger sister, Janice enjoyed the many benefits of being raised in a small town by a loving family.  Joann was raised to enjoy sports by an athletic father and music by both of her parents, which remained lifelong passions.  She would happily watch and discuss any sport, but football was her favorite. One of the greatest joys of her life was being able to sit in the bleachers and cheer for all of the sporting events that her grandchildren were participants of and she never missed a game or event, no matter what the weather. Joann graduated from Gatesville High School as Valedictorian of the class of 1953, where she enjoyed cheerleading and the attentions of her future husband, Jack, the love of her life. They shared a rich and powerful bond for 61 years, setting a beautiful example of marriage for their children.

Joann was named one of the 13 “brainiest” at Baylor in 1956, in a student body of 5,600. This was a hint that education would also become a lifelong passion, which she indulged by teaching for 36 years. She taught countless young people to read and was fiercely proud of her profession. As president of the Coryell County Teachers Association, and president of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, as well as many offices in the PTA, she served her profession as well as her students. 

Joann was a member of First Baptist Church of Gatesville, from her birth until her death. As a third generation member, it was her home and where she found her faith in God. She sang for many years in the choir and also taught Sunday school to both young and old. Her most fervent wish was that each of her grandchildren come to know the Lord and live in His love as she did.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Jack in 2017.

Joann will be carried in the hearts of her two children;  Ken Poston and wife, Mary and Dee Anna Walker and husband, Todd; grandchildren, Lynlee Poston and fiancé, Conner Meyer, Lauren Poston, Mitchell Nichols,  Kristen McKinney and husband, Matt, Katrina Coleman and husband, Will; great grandchildren, Charlie and Alex McKinney; sister, Jan McGough and husband, Bob; nephews and their families, Mark and Julie McGough, Camryn, Ryan and Katy, and Dan and Amee McGough, Mason,  Keeran and Emeree. Many precious memories of life and laughter will be cherished and shared by her “bridge club girls”, friends for over 60 years, Ann Miller, Corinne Erwin, Jane Jones and Sharon Meharg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 912 E.  Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528 or Gatesville Public Library 111N. 8th St., Gatesville, TX 76528.