Joann Weatherly

Joann Kennedy Weatherly, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at de Greeff Hospice House at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis, following a stroke suffered on Labor Day.

She most recently was a resident at Saxony Village in Cape.

Joann, legally named Athelda Joanna, was born Jan. 30, 1932, to Jenetta and John Kennedy and was raised in Gideon, Missouri. She met her future husband, James "Jim" Durward Weatherly, while a student at Gideon High School. Following graduation in 1949 -- as salutatorian, she was always quick to point out -- she lived and worked in St. Louis before marrying Nov. 9, 1950. The newlyweds lived first in Cape Girardeau, where Jim was completing college to become an accountant, and then in St. Louis, where they were joined by four children: a son in 1953, twin daughters in 1955 and a son in 1957. The family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1965.

In addition to raising her family, Joann had a busy life as an active member of First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau for more than 50 years, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the Women's Missionary Society and worked in many volunteer capacities. She also worked for many years in part-time secretarial and retail roles.

As empty-nesters and in retirement, Joann and her husband enjoyed traveling and spending time with their growing family of grandchildren. In her later years, she was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals baseball follower, avid card player and crossword puzzler and possessed a particular attachment to her Kindle for reading books, playing games and staying in touch through social media.

Joann relished her role as a grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of nine. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, and will be dearly missed and cherished by all who knew her.

Survivors include her children, Mitchell (Carol) Weatherly of St. James, Missouri, Rebecca March (Robert) Courtney and Barbara (Lee) Meyer, both of St. Louis, and David (Adele) Weatherly of Jackson; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joann was preceded in death by her husband in 2015, as well as her parents, five brothers, a sister and a son-in-law.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at First General Baptist Church.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Jim Rudolph officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to First General Baptist Church, Alzheimer's Association or de Greeff Hospice House at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.