October 18, 2023, Lillian Joanna Powell Heavner, "Joan / Mom/ Grandmommy" was lovingly surrounded by her family when Jesus called her home. Joan was born on March 27, 1940 in Salisbury, North Carolina and was raised outside of Charlotte in Mt. Holly, North Carolina. Joan loved God, her family, people, music, gardening, and education.

Joan's life work was serving God by loving others. She entered missions in 1959 as a missionary in Hawaii, the year it entered statehood. In 1975, as an Air Force spouse and mother living at Clark Air Base, the Philippines, Joan served as a Red Cross Volunteer to support Operation Babylift, the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam. She had the honor of assisting with the repatriation of US POWs returning from Vietnam during their stop at Clark Air Base where they received medical exams, good meals, and new uniforms. She was also a dedicated volunteer at the Missionary Baptist church in Manila. She brought her four children up in the Lord and served the children's ministries wherever the family was located during their US Air Force service.

In 1977, the family settled in East Cobb, Georgia and Joan immediately began building relationships. She was a longtime active member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (JFBC) in Marietta, Georgia and has served consistently and lovingly through the sewing and music ministries. She truly loved her brothers and sisters in her Sunday School class.

She was committed to supporting and lifting others and did so through gentle acts of kindness like card writing, calls, texts, food and most importantly- prayer. During a recent hospital visit she was found praying from her bed over a technician who was having her son baptized the very next day. Joan kept detailed prayer lists and spent time glorifying God through daily quiet time and intentional prayer.

Joan completed her undergraduate work at Mars Hill College, NC and UNC Women's College. Her graduate work was through the University of Georgia. She touched lives for almost thirty years through teaching high school in Cobb County, and was recognized as Teacher of the Year. Most of her career was at Walton High School as the Home Economics department head. Joan's children used to comment that she encountered former students wherever she went. As recently as this past summer, Joan attended a Braves game where a former student recognized her, broke into tears, and stated that Mrs. Heavner was the reason she was in her current profession.

In retirement, Joan travelled the world with her church and family. During these travels she always found a way to share a kind word, alter a prom dress, impart some gardening wisdom, or lead a cooking lesson. She showed love to people around the world and they knew and loved "grandmommy". Joan was an avid Braves fan and forever a Georgia Bulldawg- as apparent on this news video from the 2022 UGA vs TN game!

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2022/11/05/uga-grad-will-pilot-military-flyover-during-georgia-vs-tennessee-game/?outputType=amp

Joan had a deep love for family and friends. Her selflessness was evident in all her words and actions. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events and logged countless travel hours as their number one fan.

Joan leaves behind: three daughters, Karen Casto (Jimmy), Sharen Phinney (Todd), Nancy Ostergard; a son, Lester Heavner (Jennifer); five grandchildren Captain Trevor Phinney, UASF (Hadley), Savannah Welch (Glenn), Lieutenant Pearce Phinney, USN (Kelly), Will Ostergard, John Ostergard; one great-granddaughter, Baker Phinney, and another due soon, Sutton Phinney; and one sibling Dr. E. Dean Powell, Jr. (Margaret Ann).

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Chapel, Marietta, Georgia. Reception to follow in the Magnolia Room.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of the Joan's passion areas or one close to your heart.

Canine Assistants
https://www.canineassistants.org/

First Baptist Church Eagle Butte ( her nephew, Ben Farrar, serves as pastor)
http://www.fbceaglebutte.com

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, missions
https://www.johnsonferry.org/

Must Ministries
https://www.mustministries.org/