JoAnne Marks Brown

JoAnne, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on August 3, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. Born on May 22, 1966, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, she was the cherished daughter of the late Sallie Goode and Jim Marks. JoAnne was predeceased by her loving husband, Joey Brown, and her best friend, Keith Jones. In the early 90s, JoAnne and her family moved to Iron City, Tennessee. It was a small town, and employment opportunities were scarce. This is where she became known (in her opinion) as the best "biscuit maker" Hardee's had ever seen. She loved her job, and even though a coworker called her every morning to make sure she was awake on time for work, she made many unforgettable, wonderful friends. Those same friends remained in her heart until the day she passed. She was passionate about her friends. So much that her friends and coworkers became more like family. Things changed in 1999, when she was visiting her mother’s home in Athens, AL. This was when she would face the hardest time of her life up to that point. Her Mom had just gotten a Rottweiler rescue. JoAnne had always liked dogs, and she was doing her mother a favor by feeding him. Some very bad things can happen to good people, and she didn’t understand why this one day changed the course of her life forever. This brutal injury required too many plastic surgeries to count. She lost her job; she had no income; she couldn’t take care of the girls while she was hospitalized. She wasn’t managing anything well at that point. She was very heartbroken about having her looks taken away. The toll of that tragedy took her down. It broke her emotionally and physically. But the best outcome came out of that situation. She shared her burdens with the Lord. He heard her. She developed a relationship with Him. God stepped into her life, and she gradually overcame the difficulties of her suffering with His strength, guidance, and love. JoAnne's journey through life was one of strength and hardships. She somehow maintained warmth about her. She focused on small positives and appreciated what she had. JoAnne carried laughter and a smile that was hard to forget. Even in the darkest times, she focused on what she could control. She maintained the idea that hope can help you navigate toward brighter days. She loved learning and growing, and she did a wonderful job of ensuring that her children were taught the same. She could see the best in people. JoAnne was an active member of the Limestone County Cowboy Church, where her faith in Christ was a source of strength and gratitude. Her love for holidays and dressing up brought joy and laughter to those around her. She loved thrift stores and yard sales. She liked playing games on her phone and enjoyed sending people reels that she agreed with. She had an incredible ability to make others smile, often at her own expense, and her gift-giving, even in the form of heartfelt cards, touched many lives. Her sense of humor, intelligence, and sharp wit made her an engaging conversationalist and the life of every gathering. JoAnne thrived in social settings, forging strong connections with acquaintances and leaving a positive mark on all who knew her. She is gone, but never forgotten. Heaven gained an angel. JoAnne is survived by her devoted daughters, Candi Marks (Donald Garrison) and Kendria Brown; her cherished grandchildren, Jada Mittag (Jaime), Ryder Franklin, Merielle Garrison, Isaiah Powers (Katie), Isabella Powers, Isaac Watkins, Ilijah Goodman, Gabriel Goodman, and Cayden Levi Brown; her beloved expected great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Dale Marks and Madison Marks. A service to celebrate JoAnne's life will be held on August 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM at William's Funeral Home, located at 1950 Helton Dr, Florence, AL 35630. The family wishes to share a special message: “The present moment is where life unfolds; cherish it.”