JoAnn Donnell Matthews

Matthews, JoAnn Donnell, age 92 of Knoxville, died July 16, 2025, at home in Knoxville, TN.
She was predeceased by her parents Donald M. and Alice F. Matthews, brothers Bobby D. and Jackie C. Matthews. She is survived by sister Helen M. Smith and niece Tracy D. Matthews. Other relatives include several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families. She leaves to celebrate and cherish her memories as a host of beloved friends, neighbors, former students, professional colleagues, and special friends Gloria Tapp, Cayden Yarbrough, and Celia Snyder. She extends her deep love and humble appreciation to her Most Special and Very Close Friend, William James Allman; for his faithful and wonderful years of compassion, caregiving, companionship, and confidant. You were my family and my life.
One of her great joys in life was to give to others. She was known as a person of her word, for reaching out to help others, always with a listening ear, an open heart, and comforting words. She was a kind person of wonderful generosity and renowned for having everyone's best interest at heart. She always had a thirst for knowledge and her many interest including reading, languages, research, music, traveling and mentoring.
She was a graduate of Austin High School, 1951, and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Howard University, Washington, D.C., completed post-graduate studies at Loyola University, Chicago. She retired from Chicago City Colleges after 23 years and returned to Knoxville in 1993. She received several professional and personal awards and honors for her academic work as a college professor and as a volunteer. Her excellence in achievement was the innovation award for talented individuals.
Her Retirement was enjoyed as an active volunteer with senior citizen centers.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the Hospice team; Melinda Smith, Juliana Schmitt, and Chaplin A. D. Baxter for the great care they provided JoAnn in her final years.
Family and friends are invited to meet at the Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel on Monday, July 28th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm to visit with a memorial service of shared stories and fellowship to follow at 7:00 pm. A graveside service with an inurnment will take place on August 9th at 11:00 am at the Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.