JoAnn Hamilton Echols

JoAnn Hamilton Echols

JoAnn Echols Obituary

Visit the Green Hills Funeral Home - Troy website to view the full obituary.

JoAnn Hamilton Echols, age 87, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and a profound impact on all who knew her. Born on October 28, 1938, JoAnn dedicated many years of her life to nurturing the minds of students as a teacher, sharing not only her knowledge but also her warmth and compassion. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery at 1:00pm providing friends and family an opportunity to celebrate JoAnn’s incredible life and the beautiful memories shared.

Her joyful spirit was perhaps best reflected in her passion for travel. Alongside her beloved husband, Stanley Echols, JoAnn explored the southeastern United States in their RV, creating cherished memories while attending bluegrass festivals. Those adventures were filled with laughter, music, and togetherness, capturing the essence of their love.

JoAnn was deeply involved in her community. She volunteered her time at the Troy Public Library, fostering a love of reading among many, and passionately supported the Humane Society, where her affection for cats shone brightly. Her kindness extended to all living creatures, embodying her gentle and caring nature.

She is survived by her niece, Teresa Doty (Sheldon), and great niece, Breanna Copeland (Russell), whose lives were enriched by her warmth and wisdom. JoAnn's absence will be felt profoundly in their hearts, as well as in the lives of many others she touched throughout her life.

JoAnn is reunited in heaven with her parents, Melvin and Velma Hamilton; her husband, Stanley Echols; her brother, Paul Hamilton; and her sister, Sarah Mashburn. Together, they will surely watch over the family she so cherished.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to her devoted caretakers, Darlene Thomas and Linda Thomas, as well as the staff of Serenity South for their loving care and concern. 

The staff of green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Echols family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Green Hills Funeral Home - Troy

1621 South US Highway 29, Troy, AL 36079

Make a Donation
in JoAnn Echols's name

How to support JoAnn's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services, and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor JoAnn Echols's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more