Joanne Lemley

Joanne Lemley, a remarkable woman known for her fierce spirit, unwavering strength, and tremendous gusto for life, passed away at the age of 96. Born on March 22, 1929, she lived a life full of passion, adventure, and love for her family and friends.

Joanne was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, John O’Brien, Kenneth Lemley, and her son, Greg. She is survived by two daughters, Lynn and Kellee; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish memories of backyard rope swings, beach adventures, puzzle competitions, and heated Monopoly games with their "cool grandma" who drove a Corvette and rode the fastest roller coasters.

A devoted mother who believed children needed their mothers, Joanne set aside career goals to raise her family with dedication and love. She was the first person her children saw in the morning and the last before bed, with home-cooked meals on the table every night. She taught them manners and encouraged them to be the best versions of themselves.

Joanne was so intent on being there for her kids that she'd pick them up at school in her convertible Buick LeSabre with her hair covered in tin foil, still wet from hair dye. Quality family time was sometimes forced upon her children—for their own sake, of course. They now hold fond memories of summer vacations stuffed in the back of that Buick, with Kellee fitting perfectly on the floorboards as a leg rest for Lynn and Greg on long road trips.

After raising her children, Joanne's tenacity and unshakable faith in herself propelled her into a successful career at Mattel, proving it's never too late to pursue your goals.

Joanne lived by principles that touched everyone who knew her. She believed in making time for your spouses that there would always be chores and errands, but you had to prioritize what truly mattered. She believed in making time for yourself, whether that meant traveling, reading, or eating Chunky Monkey ice cream. She understood early on that sometimes mothers need a break, and she wasn't afraid to take one.

Above all, Joanne believed in speaking your mind. In a world focused on political correctness, her tendency to tell the truth—even when people didn't want to hear it—was refreshing. She controlled her own destiny and never let anyone keep her from accomplishing her goals. As stubborn as a mule, she had unshakable faith in herself, and that persistence defined her life.

An active woman until the end, Joanne could be found wearing her red hat, gardening, playing bridge, experiencing art and culture, or participating in Bible study. She never sat back and watched life pass her by. Instead, she created her own adventures and made her life worth living.

Joanne was well-traveled, having explored much of the United States and ventured abroad to Austria, China, Egypt, Ireland, Poland, and even France. She believed strongly that there was so much more to life waiting beyond your comfort zone, and she lived that belief fully.

Known for her charitable heart, Joanne was always the first to lend a helping hand to those in need in her community. She took pride in spreading joy to others and surrounded herself with the people she loved, particularly younger friends who helped keep her spirit young.

A strong believer and longtime participant in cocktail hour, Joanne knew a thing or two about adult beverages. She had a memorable philosophy about staying in control of your senses: "If I want to make an ass out of myself and dance on the table, I want to remember it." She lived life on her own terms, with passion and presence.

While she was not particularly fond of little babies, Joanne captivated the hearts of children throughout her life. Her grandchildren reminisced about spending time swinging from her backyard rope swing, enjoying long conversations, swimming at the beach, completing puzzles, and arguing their way through Monopoly with her. They each took pleasure in bragging to their friends about their grandma who drove a Corvette and rode the very fastest roller coasters. Some even witnessed her boldest side when she sped through a toll gate without paying after an argument with a booth attendant.

As an Aries, Joanne's personality was fierce and fiery. She put 100 percent effort into everything she did and was passionate about living each moment to its full potential. Her leadership skills were outstanding, and her family and friends would have followed her anywhere.

Joanne Lemley was a remarkable woman whose passion for life, love, family, friends, and God touched every person close to her. We all wanted to be like Joanne when we grew up.

Our family would like to express sincere gratitude to all the employees at Westminster Canterbury who embraced Mom with a smile, hello, laughter and friendship. And for the staff on Drinkard Piedmont Floor, the exceptional care and love you showered upon Mom for the last 2 1/2 years (and especially last week) will never be forgotten. Thank you for being her Angels!

A celebration of life will be held at Mountain View Church in Forest, VA on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Joanne's memory by living boldly, speaking your truth, making time for the people you love, and creating your own adventures.

Thank you for being you, Joanne Lemley. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.