Joan Worthington

Joan “Jo-Ann” Bearden Worthington, 78, left this world to be united with Christ with family by her side on January 23, 2016. A celebration of her life will be held at on Thursday, January 28th, 2016. Joan was born on September 1st, 1937 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Lola Mae and Jack Bearden. She loved the Lord and attended Morgan Avenue Baptist Church as a youth. Joan graduated from Roy Miller High School in 1955. She proudly served her country and spoke fondly of her time spent in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). She was especially honored and proud to have served in Japan. Joan loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was quick to brag on them and show them off. She was known as "Grandma Boat" and "Grammy Jo" to her grandchildren and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them. She was dearly loved by them. Joan was a very kind and gentle soul; she had a loving and generous heart, and was always giving whatever she could to others. She made it a point to go out of her way to provide a ride or place to stay for strangers, family or friends that were in need. She loved hunting and fishing and spent long hours in the woods, bay or pier enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. Her love of fishing and the outdoors led her to purchase Jerry's Marina and The Porch where she enjoyed the many friends she made that shared her same passion. She was quick to put you on a good fishing spot and would take you on a guided fishing trip on her boat around the Laguna Madre. She was also an excellent artist and loved to create and share special works with her family and friends. Some of our most treasured gifts from her came in the form of handmade pottery, paintings, leather crafts and more. In addition to her artwork she loved music and played a variety of instruments. She loved to sing and perform for her children and grandchildren and passed down special songs that the family now sings to her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Earl Lawrence "Jack" Bearden and mother Lola Mae Bearden. She is survived by her sister, Jackie Kennedy, and her four children, Billy Worthington, Earl Worthington, Crystal Lieseke, and Laura Worthington; 9 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and her longtime companion Bojangles. Visitation will be held at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, beginning at 11 am on Thursday, January 28, 2016 followed by services at 12:30 pm. Graveside services will follow at Seaside Memorial Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Pastor Dean Bearden will officiate. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Joan's name can be made to an organization benefiting disabled veterans, such as the Wounded Warrior project.