JoAnn Clark Blackwell

JoAnn Clark Blackwell, beloved wife of Dr. Carl W. Blackwell, passed away at home after a brief illness on January 4, 2017, surrounded by her family, Carl, and son Scott. JoAnn and Carl became members of the Episcopal Church of the Advent shortly after St. Clement’s Chapel was moved from Lloyd to its current location on Piedmont Drive. While they were not members when the Mission was initiated at the old Yon’s Hardware store on the corner of Thomasville and Betton Roads, they were charter members when it became a full fledged Church shortly thereafter.. JoAnn was born in Quincy, FL on May 27, 1936 to Julian and Quinton Rowan Clark. Shortly after JoAnn’s birth the family moved to Pensacola. She attended schools in Pensacola graduating from Pensacola High School in 1954. Her extra curricular activities included the student newspaper, the Glee Club, acting, and singing soprano as a member of the group known as the Double Quartet Plus One. On November 14, 1954, JoAnn and Carl were married in Pensacola. Carl attended Pensacola Junior College and in August 1956 transferred to Florida State University to pursue his degree. JoAnn took course work at Tallahassee Community College and FSU and spent from 1962 to 1968 attending Moorer’s School of Art in Tallahassee. She pursued her art work for many years which also included two, one person shows in South Florida. In addition to her art work, JoAnn began a career in educational administration at Florida State University which started by working for Dr. Stanley Marshall. She also served as an Administrative Assistant in the Psychology Department and then as Business Manager for the Chemistry Department. She then became the Assistant to the new Dean of the College of Law, Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte. When Sandy left the Law School, JoAnn retired thinking her working days were over. A few years later when D’Alemberte was named President of Florida State University, JoAnn was “drafted” to return to her beloved Florida State as Executive Assistant to President D’Alemberte where together they spent nine years before both retired. JoAnn was a very active member of the Tallahassee Little Theater for many years in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Her activities included acting in many plays, being a member of the Board, serving on the Gala Committee, and many of behind the scene activities. Her favorite plays in which she had a major role were “The Cocktail Hour” and “Toys in the Attic”. Her favorite line of all the plays, which was also the last line of the play was “I’m a woman with no place to go, but I’m going!” Survivors include her husband Carl, son Scott of Miami, granddaughter Kelly, a senior at the University of Virginia and grandson Sean, a sophomore at FSU and a very special person in her life, Beverly Spencer whom she called her sister. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent 815 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, 32312 with The Reverend J. Calvin Goodlett officiating. The ashes will be buried in the Memory Garden at the Church immediately following the Service. The family request no flowers, but that contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 815 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312 or a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends in the Advent Parish Hall immediately following the committal of the ashes. Special appreciation goes out to the Visiting Angels and the Big Bend Hospice Staff. Because of their special care and assistance, JoAnn was able to spend her final days in her home.

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JoAnn Clark Blackwell

May 27, 1936 - January 4, 2017