Obituary
JoAnn Williams, 86, of Lee’s Summit, passed away February 21, 2021 from congestive heart failure.
JoAnn was born on 5/22/1934 in KCMO to William F. Talley and Patricia Martin Talley. She married Leo F. Goldsby, Jr. on 5/16/1953. They raised four children in Independence, MO and were members of Nativity of Mary Parish. Leo passed away on 12/27/1980. On 6/27/1986, JoAnn married William H. Williams and spent 30 years in Lee’s Summit. They were members of St. Margaret’s of Scotland. Bill passed away on 6/28/2016.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo F. Goldsby, Jr., husband William H. Williams, grandson Michael G. Francis, and great-granddaughters Lillian F. and Annabelle E. Zwahlen.
Survivors include her children Lucinda (Ray) Francis, Greenwood, AR; Juliana (Ron) Higgerson, KCMO; Philip Goldsby and Jennifer Weideman, Durham, NC; and Elizabeth Goldsby, KCMO. She leaves 9 grandkids: Amy (Ray) Ottman, Fort Smith, AR; Sara (Craig) Zwahlen, Blue Springs, MO; Michael’s widow, Charlotte Francis, Jacksonville, FL; Cameron (Julia) Higgerson, Lucas Higgerson, Adam (Vanessa) Scott, Ryan Gilbreth, and Alex Cox, all of KCMO; Emma and Ava Goldsby, Overland Park, KS. JoAnn also leaves 14 great-grandkids: Sean & Noah Ottman; Olivia Zwahlen; Hayley Widell-Searls, Kelsey, Aubrey & Leo Francis; Maggie & Teddy Higgerson; Reece & Delilah Higgerson; Brennan Scott; Harper & Liam Gilbreth.
JoAnn loved life but especially her family. She was so proud of all of them and delighted in hearing stories and getting pictures. She was an avid Chiefs fan and adored Patrick Mahomes. Her family believes she waited until baby girl Mahomes was here safely before passing.
COVID-19 robbed her and her family of much needed physical touch.
Funeral Mass service will be 2:00 PM Friday Feb. 26, 2021 at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. Visitation will be prior to services from 1:00 – 2:00PM. Burial will be private with family. The funeral will be live streamed at stmos.org.
If you would like to make a donation in JoAnn’s memory, please send to Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. They cannot accept cash.
Mom, I miss you very much but I know you are in a much better place. You are pain free now and can enjoy all of our family who was there to greet you. You and I have been apart of each other for 67 years. I’ll never stop loving you and I hope someday I’ll be blessed enough to join you in heaven. Rest In Peace, mom. You have earned your eternal reward.
To the family of JoAnn Williams:
Sorry for your loss. She is whole and pain free and with Jesus and with the rest of her family. I (Sandy) have known her a long time. We were neighbors over in Independence, MO. I noticed she had her hair in a french roll (I guess that is what it is called) and she fixed my hair like that. Praying for the family during this difficult time. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort and peace.
My condolences to the family. Prayers for peace during this difficult time and for joyous memories of the life you all shared. Shellina Adams; long time friend to Elizabeth Goldsby; hugs my friend.
A beautiful woman loved by so many. She accepted me into the family with unconditional love. She introduced me to “Geedunk” and I am better for it.
To the Goldsby families, I always enjoyed coming to your parents’ home. There was always fun to be had. Your mom and dad were wonderful. JoAnn did truly love her family and it showed in her actions and her conversations. Her faith kept her strong and she now rests with those who left us too early. May flights of angels sing her to her rest.
M.Stempel
Sending prayers and lots of love during this difficult time. Jo Ann was a special person and will be missed greatly. Love you Elizabeth and Julie.