JoAnn Newton Boatright

JoAnn Newton Boatright, age 83, entered into eternal rest on April 13, 2022, at home after a brief illness. She was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and grew up in Largo, FL. JoAnn had resided in Tallahassee since 1984. Like her parents and brothers, JoAnn was sent to the Christian high school division of Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she graduated as the class Salutatorian in 1956. At Lee, she met and married her first husband, Charles Kirkland, also a native Floridian. The young couple moved back to Gainesville, Florida, where he studied architecture. JoAnn became a widow at age 22 when Charles was tragically killed in an accident. JoAnn returned back to Largo to work and enroll in college. She then transferred to Florida State University (FSU) where she graduated in 1966 with a degree in Home Economics. Her professional career began when she became the Suwannee County Home Extension Agent. In this role, she published a weekly newspaper article, “Timely Tips & Trends in Homemaking” and had a weekly radio program. In Live Oak, she met Spessard Boatright, who was the elected Suwannee County School Superintendent, and they married on June 1, 1968. JoAnn and Spessard were active in their church, First Presbyterian, and became parents to daughters Rebecca in 1970 and Brenda in 1972. JoAnn’s primary focus was on being a wife and mother and she briefly taught high school. JoAnn returned to work when the girls left for college at the University of Florida (UF). She again applied her degree and became a Food and Nutrition Specialist for the Florida Department of Health. For almost 30 years, JoAnn assumed the additional duties of being a supportive military wife which allowed Spessard to retire from the Florida National Guard as a Brigadier General. JoAnn and Spessard traveled extensively to over 50 countries in 6 continents. JoAnn dearly loved her role as an active grandmother to her two grandsons, Cooper and Chandler Heath, enjoying many fun trips with them throughout the U.S. and abroad. JoAnn was a member of Thomasville Road Baptist Church and cherished her Sunday School class and church family. Also, she enjoyed genealogy and served as the 1st Vice Regent for the Caroline Brevard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Recording Secretary for the Colonial Dames. JoAnn’s Christian faith and family were most important to her! Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Spessard Boatright; two daughters Rebecca Boatright Heath and her husband Scott of Atlanta, Brenda Boatright of Atlanta, grandsons Cooper and Chandler Heath; brother Bobby Newton and his wife Joyce; sister-in-law Sybil Newton along with many beloved nieces and nephews. On Thursday, April 21, 2022, the family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., at Bevis Funeral Home, with funeral services to follow. The service will be available to view live online at https://www.bevisfh.com. To watch, click on the word Obituaries at the top of the homepage, then click on the name of your loved one, and then the green Photos and Videos tab. Staff members will be available to answer questions or help with technical issues at (850) 385-2193. Burial will be at MeadowWood Memorial Park. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

Tributes

JoAnn Newton Boatright

February 3, 1939 - April 13, 2022