JoAnn Crow was born in Bay City, Texas on December 29, 1949 as a 3 pound premature baby. Surviving as a preemie baby in a small Texas town in the late '40's was practically unheard of but JoAnn had a determined spirit from the beginning. Her father passed away when she was only 3 years old so she was raised, and thoroughly spoiled, by the family that rallied around her to take her father's place. JoAnn attended school in Bay City and then her family moved to Victoria, Texas in the 1960's. JoAnn had a step-sister, Kay Legg Mahurin and step-brother, Roger Legg, that she loved and they loved her just as much. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1967 and then attended college in Victoria for a year before moving to Houston, TX. JoAnn lived in Lake Charles, LA with her sister, Valerie and brother-in-law, Johnny Ryman for a couple of years, working at an answering service while there. They moved back to Bay City and JoAnn worked as a clerk in Johnny & Valerie's flower shop, The Petal Peddler.

JoAnn was blessed with the gift of an exceptionally lovely voice. She was featured in her high school musicals in Victoria and sang in Oklahoma! and The Music Man. JoAnn knew where her gift came from as she had given her life to Jesus Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church in Bay City. She enjoyed singing gospel music and singing in the choir at First Baptist Church and The Texas Gospel Music Barn. Her favorite trips were gathering up her friends and going to gospel music concerts near and far. She even traveled on a Gaither Family Gospel Music Alaskan Cruise.

Due to a series of strokes, JoAnn became a resident of Bay Villa Nursing Home in 2009. She was one of the youngest residents, so although she never had children of her own, she took on the role of "mother" to many other residents and became an advocate for those who, she felt, could not advocate for themselves. She worked alongside others on the Resident Council of Bay Villa to constantly improve the conditions of their home. She became very close to many of the residents and employees of Bay Villa. She loved going to the nail salon to visit with everyone while being pampered. Thank you to Bay Villa for making that joy possible for JoAnn.
JoAnn passed away at El Campo Memorial Hospital on August 31, 2017 on Houston Hospice, with her niece, Carla, at her side. She enjoyed a peaceful transition for the long-awaited joining with her Heavenly Family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin L. and Alma Leona Ray Crow, her sister Jannie Valerie Crow Ryman, her brother Allen Ray Crow, step-sister Kay Legg Mahurin, and step-brother Roger Legg.
She is survived by brother-in-law Johnny C. Ryman, Jr. of Bay City, TX, sister-in-law Sue Crow, of Bay City, TX, nieces Carla Cox and husband, Lee of Bay City, TX, Karen Meier and husband Keith, of Katy, TX and Kim Crow of Bay City, TX, and nephew Duane Ryman and wife Karen, of Bay City, TX.

She is also survived by many family members including aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and great nephews. JoAnn also had great-great nieces and a great-great nephew that she loved as though they were her own children. She would win Bingo prizes at Bay Villa especially with these kids in mind!

JoAnn also leaves behind her wonderful Bay Villa Family. Angela Cunningham, her best friend and "glue" that held her together! Ann Hindman, Barbara Kureska and Bandit, Joan (PT), Margie Ayala, Stephanie, Lisa...so many, many wonderful friends that became FAMILY to JoAnn and to JoAnn's family. We thank each and every one of you for all the patience, love and care that you have shown to JoAnn over the years.

A Memorial Service will be held for JoAnn at Bay Villa at a later date.