Obituary of Joann D. Garrison

Joann D. Garrison died Wednesday the 31st of May at English Rose Suites after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was preceded in death twelve years ago by her best friend and husband, Wayne L. Garrison, and a mere four weeks ago by her loving older sister, Juanita Walton, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Born in 1937, Joann grew up in Comanche, Oklahoma, and received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy from the Oklahoma College for Women in 1958. Upon graduation, Joann taught speech at the Jane Brooks School for the Deaf in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She eventually had a private practice working as a speech therapist in Oklahoma City before she retired to raise her three daughters. Joann was an active member of the community in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where she served on a variety of nonprofit boards. She had a closet full of ball gowns and wore them all beautifully. In 1990, she and Wayne moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where she appreciated the warmth and beauty of the desert. Joann played many hours of Mah-Jongg and an occasional round of golf at the Pinnacle Peak Country Club, where she made many friends. Joann loved chocolate, tending her gardens and baking cookies and rum cake. She disliked cooking but was the first one to offer one of her famous casseroles in times of need. She was especially known for her enduring kindness to people from all walks of life and will be missed greatly by many friends and family. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Lea Ann and Michael Knight, of Bedford, MA; Jill and John Grace, of Lubbock, TX; and Beth and Jeff Killion, of Orono, MN. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Chandler Grace, Kate Knight, Nina Knight, Anna Knight, Esme Killion, and Tate Killion. A Memorial Service with family and friends celebrating Joann's life will be held in Oklahoma City at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org