Joanna Elizabeth Steadham

On this day, 3/11/11, in her Apple Valley home, a heart bigger than Texas and made of pure gold stopped beating as she peacefully slipped off to heaven, having succumbed to the effects of pulmonary fibrosis. Born 1/13/1932, JoAnna Elizabeth Kyle was the youngest of five –a close knit family : Alice married to Tom, Walter married to June, Penny (Natalie) married to Bos (Paul), and Frank married to Mina. JoAnna married her 'first' love Donald Joseph Barnes in 1951 and proudly joined the 'parents club' with the birth of their first child Donna June. Fourteen months later came twins Deborah Jo Anna and Daniel Joseph, then David James and Donald John bringing up the rear born in 1959 : all DJ's – all alike and different in every way. After Donald Joseph was killed in action in Viet Nam 6/6/67, JoAnna married her 'last and longest' love – another Navy man-James Roland Steadham. With him came brothers Roland William and the 'baby' Kyle Montgomery to complete this family of yours, mine and ours! On April 24th, 2010 James went to be with the Lord with Mom by his side. It would take a lifetime to tell you of all the adventures and trials, tears and joys, love and losses, successes and defeats, teachings and travels we've all shared. I hope I can speak for all who were blessed by knowing her – Joanne was a God fearing woman, tenderhearted, generous to a fault, a talented seamstress, protective, creative, and the most loving woman to walk this earth. To say we'll miss her does not come close to describing the heartbreak we must endure. It is most comforting to know that all who believe in God and accept the eternal salvation Jesus Christ suffered to give us, will be re-united in love forever. Hard to cut Momma's apron strings, and harder still to follow in her footsteps! You get to choose your friends, but God chooses your family. Make no mistakes about it – Mom believed family was a gift to be cherished, supported and loved – with love being the chief ingredient in keeping our family intact as we've scattered about the country. All seven of her children have married and blessed her with grandchildren who in turn have blessed her with great-grandchildren. May our children honor us and love us – as Mom taught us to honor and love her. May we live out our lives in a manner that will let the world know just what kind of stock we came from – taught to work hard with pride and integrity, walk in generosity and truth, tackle any challenge head on with strength and courage, love unconditionally, and genuinely live each day in faith as if it was our last. WE are her legacy. All of us want to give special thanks to Odyssey Hospice, and eternal gratitude to Lisa Zapata and her daughter Melissa, for putting their lives on hold, as they tenderly and lovingly cared for Mom and all her needs 24/7 for nearly 9 months. Knowing without a doubt that our beloved mother was never alone, and graciously cared for by these answers-to-prayer women brought such incredible peace of mind. Sunset Hills is handling the funeral arrangements. Please join us on Saturday 3/19/2011 at 2 pm at Sunset Hills 24000 Waalew Rd. in Apple Valley to celebrate JoAnna's life Her final resting place will be with both loves of her life at Arlington National Cemetery . Her service will be officiated by Dane Davis of the First Christian Church in Victorville – where JoAnna and Jim worshipped. There are so many of you who touched our mothers' heart, and made her last months on earth as pleasant as possible with your cards, your calls, your visits, your food, your movies, your time, and your prayers. You know who you are, God knows who you are – and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Hope to see you Saturday.