Joanna Cathryn Lewis Gassiott

Joanna Cathryn Lewis Gassiott, 74, of Midland, Texas passed away on December 25, 2018. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 31, 2018 at First Baptist Church Chapel of Midland, Texas. Born on January 3, 1944 in Fort Worth to John E. and Cathryn Lewis, Joanna was the first of three children raised in a Christian family that lived in Seymour, Henrietta, and finally Olton, Texas. In each of these cities Rev. Lewis served as minister in the local Baptist church where Joanna attended Sunday School and sang in the church choir. Her talent for music led to studies at Baylor University and eventually Howard Payne University where she consistently made the dean's list. In 1966 she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. During her graduation ceremony as Joanna received her diploma, university president Guy D. Newman paused the event to pronounce her, "one of the finest students ever to attend Howard Payne." After college Joanna moved to Waco, TX where she taught school and was active in leadership roles in her church. During this time, through mutual friends, Joanna met Ralph Gassiott, a recent Baylor graduate whom she fell in love with and married on December 27, 1968. The couple moved to Midland where Ralph worked for State Farm Insurance. Joanna immersed herself in activities such as leading Sunday school at First Baptist and projects with the Junior Women's Club. Joanna was a naturally gifted, warm, and inspiring teacher, completely invested in educating the whole student both heart and mind. Her students always knew that she cared deeply for them. In 1985, Joanna began teaching first grade at the Childhood Development Center of First Baptist Church. Eight years later she took over as the center's director, a post she held for over twelve years. In addition to accumulating titles such as teacher, PTA president, and school director, it was other jobs such as wife, mother, and grandmother that led to her deep, personal fulfillment. In May of 1972, they had the first of three children. Her children found her to be a most loving, encouraging and supportive parent. She cheered them on at countless games, concerts, and performances and was always ready to lend a listening ear and dispense truly meaningful advice at a moment's notice. When she became "Nana" with the birth of her first of nine grandchildren in 2005, Joanna transitioned to a new role she appeared destined to play. As a kind, loving, and supportive grandparent Joanna made sure that each of her nine grandchildren felt the depth of her love. She was immensely proud of all of them. Finally, Joanna's entire life was inspired and motivated by her love of the Lord. Growing up in the Baptist church Joanna learned the importance of not living by scriptures alone, but through them. During her life Joanna was a teacher who showed those around her how to fiercely and deeply love the Lord, their family, and friends. In return she received that same love tenfold. Joanna was preceded in death by her parents John and Cathryn Lewis and is survived by her husband of fifty years, Ralph Gassiott of Midland, her children Kyle Gassiott (Kathryn) of Montgomery, Alabama, Karri Sanders (Joe) of Midland, and Kristin Wagner (Greg) of Wylie, Texas, and grandchildren Ruth, Duncan, Mary Alice, Dulcie, Crispin, and Kai Sanders of Midland and Grace, Wyatt, and Elizabeth Wagner of Wylie. Joanna is also survived by sister Elaine Holliman of Rockdale, Texas and brother John E. Lewis (Sunya) of Spring, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the childhood education fund of the First Baptist Church of Midland, TX. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences at npwelch.com.