Joan Daniels Lafferty

1934 - 2025

Joan Daniels Lafferty

April 27, 1934 - July 2, 2025

Naples, Florida - Joan Daniels Lafferty, 91, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, entered peacefully into the presence of Jesus on July 2, 2025 in her Naples, Florida home surrounded by loved ones. Her family and friends take comfort that Joan, known affectionately as "Nanny," has been reunited with her dear husband of 61 years, Robert Steel Lafferty, Jr., known affectionately as "Bobba," who preceded her in death December 7, 2018. One encounter with Joan meant you had a friend for life. Her warmth and joyful spirit felt like a reassuring hug, and her smile was comfort for your soul. She cared deeply for those around her and desired that everyone experience the love of Jesus. She will long be remembered for her cheerfulness, thoughtfulness and endless generosity.

Joan was born on April 27, 1934 in Trenton, New Jersey to Teresa Crush Daniels and Charles Wesley Daniels, who predeceased her. Her family moved to Florida in 1948 where Joan grew up attending Miami Shores Elementary School. She was later a Flying L Cheerleader at Fort Lauderdale High School. Joan went on to graduate from Duke University where she majored in Economics and served as Vice President of the Phi Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Joan worked at Hill York Service Corporation, a mechanical contracting and refrigeration company founded in 1936 in Miami, FL. She married Bob on November 30, 1957 and devoted her life to raising their three children and supporting her husband. Joan was an active member of the community, serving as PTA President of Miami Shores Elementary School and in the Junior League of Miami. Joan's early involvement in Evangelism Explosion (EE) launched her lifelong mission to share the salvation power of Jesus with everyone she met. In addition to her leadership roles at Bible Study Fellowship, Joan loved serving her church family at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, most notably by championing the Christmas Pageant ministry.

Joan and Bob built a wonderful community in Highlands, North Carolina, where they spent most of their summers since the 1970s. Joan helped to lead a Bible study for women at the Highlands Country Club, as well as a couples Bible study during the summer. Other favorite pursuits included supporting the local Highlands Playhouse and watching hummingbirds while admiring God's creation. Joan loved Broadway musicals, fine dining, puzzles, the daily crossword, and a Peach milkshake from Chick-fil-A. She was an avid wordsmith, creative thinker, Amazon pro, and iPhone-user extraordinaire.

Joan's love of travel took her around the world, but her favorite place to be was with her family, who will miss her greatly and is dedicated to carrying on her legacy. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Kim Lafferty Etzel (Theo Etzel), Robert Wesley "Chip" Lafferty (Mary Jean Gray Lafferty) and Amy Lafferty Hsieh (Bill Hsieh). Joan cherished her role as "Nanny" to eight grandchildren, their spouses and five great grandchildren. Her grandchildren and their spouses, known as the "Cousin Crew" remain dedicated to carrying on her memory and traditions for generations to come.

The family wishes to thank her incredible caregivers from Caring Angels, Moorings Park Health Care Agency, True Blue Health Care Agency, an independent caregiver and Avow Hospice. Their dedication and love for Joan was second to none.

If you choose, donations can be made to one of these organizations, each of which was very special to Joan throughout her lifetime: Palau, PO Box 50, Portland, OR 97207 or Bible Study Fellowship, PO Box 675241, Dallas, TX 75267-5241.

Joan's favorite Bible verse says it all: Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is not I who live but Christ who lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me."

A celebration of Joan's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on August 16 at Rio Vista Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL 880 South Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale Florida 33316. Burial will be private.