Joanne Shomake

Joanne Hannah Shomake was taken into the arms of a loving God on 12/22/2009. Although he pulled her freshman pigtails as a Buford High senior, her husband Don was smitten upon seeing her all grown up at the Suwanee Square Dance. She knew she had him when see wore the blue velvet dress on their first date; they were married within a year. She followed him through several moves, finally settling on the wooded family property where she lived happily for 32 years, raising three kids who didn't deserve her and a husband who did. Joanne loved helping people as a clerk at Rich's although her credit card bill was often more than her paycheck. She was one of the first helpers at Buford First Baptist's preschool program where all of the children adopted her as Mimi, a title she carried with all of her grandchildren. Beautiful, kind and sweet hearted, she was well loved and respected by all; her loss is devastating to those who knew her best. Joanne was a 1958 graduate of Buford High School. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Buford where she was also a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class. Joanne is survived by: husband, Don, son-in-law and daughter, Keith and Lynne Speed; son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Lisa Shomake; and grandchildren, Kacie, Ryan and Anna Speed and Hannah and Frances Shomake. Extended family includes: brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Carolyn Hannah, Gary and Joyce Hannah, and Tony and Lynn Hannah; and sisters and brother-in-law, Patsy Hannah and Kathy and Johnny Frady; brother-in-law, Mike Shoemake; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Bernice Hannah; in-laws, Clyde and Annie Jo Shomake; and youngest son, Craig Shomake. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 p.m. until time of service. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1925 Century Boulevard, N.E., Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345 in memory of Joanne Shomake. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133, www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.