JoAnn Goodson Willis
October 10, 1936 ~ January 5, 2024
JoAnn Goodson Willis was born on October 10, 1936 in Holopaw, FL. She passed quietly away on January 5, 2024 in Gainesville, FL at the age of 87.
JoAnn’s parents were Argo and Callie Story Goodson; she was the 4th of their 12 children. JoAnn grew up in Sand Cut, FL and attended nearby Pahokee High School excelling in many sports, including cheerleading, before graduating in 1954. After high school, JoAnn travelled as a military wife living in Oklahoma, Bermuda, Japan, and Italy; but her home base was always in Winter Park, FL. During her time in Winter Park, she worked over three decades as a title specialist for the Orange County tax collector, who was Earl K. Woods at the time.
JoAnn was preceded in death by three ex-husbands and many family loved ones. She is survived by her four children, Sandy Kautz, Terry Kautz Burns, Ed Bensen Jr., and Shaun Willis plus nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and siblings Robert Goodson, Joyce Weber, Roy Goodson, Betty Kelley, Darrell Goodson, and over 100 nieces and nephews.
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Grandma was one of a kind to say the least! She took me in as her own granddaughter from day one. She told me from thw first time I met her to call her grandma not Joann and so for 19 years that is what I did. She will be dearly missed. She is in a much better place now and is no longer in pain or suffering. She was tough to thw end! Rest in peace grandma. You will be dearly missed.
We love and will miss you as will the neighborhood. Many thanks for being such a great neighbor and for all the wonderful memories!
Rest easy, Aunt JoAnn. I’ll always have wonderful memories of times spent with you.
Michael
I love you JoAnn, now you’re with my mom, You both are watching over me 😘
I’m so very sorry to hear of Aunt JoAnn’s passing. May she rest in peace.
Grandma your grandson Michael is going to miss you very much. He doesn't express his feelings to much but have no fear when yall reunite he will have all kinds of stories to burn your ears off with. He is going to miss you dearly. As are Zach and the babies. You were always good to Zach and always treated him as u treated me, like blood family. We loved and love you and we all miss you rest in peace and give them hell up there as I'm sure you will! Your ill be running that place in no time. Love you always mike Christina Zach bree myles and mason miller
Rest with the angels Mom. I love you. ❤️
My dear Schaun, I’m so sorry for your loss, words of comfort do little to ease the grief and sadness for those left behind. However know in your heart that death is merely a process and your loved one is alive! We will see our beloved ones again.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may his face shine down upon you and give you peace. Mary Ann
I will always remember the good times we had and the many meals we shared together. I will miss our friendship greatly JoAnn. My condolences are being sent to your precious family. Rest in peace, my friend. Until we meet again………
My condolences and prayers to my cousins on Aunt JoAnn’s branch of the family tree, and to all of Aunt JoAnn’s friends! She will be missed!! 🥰♥️♥️
I respect all your accomplishments and hard work during your lifetime. Your fight to stay with us was admirable. You are a beautiful woman and I love you. Rest In Peace and love, Mom.