JoAnn Charba

After 86 years of life, on March 13, 2025, Josephine Ann Charba, lovingly known as JoAnn, passed into the arms of our Lord, surrounded by her children and her devoted husband, Lawrence.

Born on September 4, 1938, in Corpus Christi to Henry A. and Dorothy Schoenfeld, JoAnn was raised in a home built by her father on 16th Street, just a short walk from Del Mar College, where she received her associate’s degree. JoAnn's youth was marked by her enjoyment of Sea Scouts, Girl Scout Counselor, and active participation in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). She met her future husband Lawrence at a CYO dance in 1959, and their courtship blossomed into marriage in June 1961.

Their early life together began in Banquete, Texas, in an old ranch house where Lawrence farmed with his father while JoAnn cared for their growing family. Their first born, John, arrived in 1963, followed a year later by Laura. Their family grew further with a move to Robstown, where Michael was born in 1967. In 1973, they moved a final time to a rural spot between Robstown and Banquete. Sadly in March of 1977, newborn Timothy Pio passed away after only 3 days from a congenital heart condition. In 1981, the final addition, Karl Henry was born.

Despite the uncertainty of farm life, JoAnn performed her roles as a wife, mother, and homemaker with resolve and a steadfast devotion to her Catholic faith. JoAnn pursued higher education, earning an MBA from Corpus Christi State University while working for US Geological Survey. She channeled her business acumen into owning and operating Charba Insurance Agency, a successful business for over 35 years. She considered many of her clients to be close friends and family.

JoAnn found great solace in God's creation whether tending to her plants, training her pets, uncovering Indian artifacts at the nearby creek, or appreciating minerals and jewelry. She was also an avid reader and never far from a thrilling work of written fiction. Guests at her house would often hear her playing the piano, favoring ragtime pieces and church hymns. Additionally, she performed organ accompaniment for St John Nepomuceno Catholic Church in Robstown for several years, even as her physical condition worsened, which she viewed as an offering to God. But her greatest joys came from her title Nana to an ever-growing and expanding family. She was quick to play with her grandchildren and took much delight in the many works of art, great and small, that they created for her. Whenever advice was asked or needed, JoAnn would not hesitate to counsel her family. She was well-known for her generosity and never hesitated to offer a warm meal or a place to stay,

Most importantly, JoAnn was steadfast in her love of God and His Church, most especially in her zealous defense of the unborn. She was even arrested for picketing an abortion clinic

in Austin, and this devotion to God's children resonates through her close friends and especially family.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Dorothy Schoenfeld, her son, Timothy, her brother, Henry (Sonny),grandson-in -law Jonathan Stanush and her aunt and favorite traveling partner, Lee Calderwood.

JoAnn is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lawrence Charba; her children, John (Michelle), Laura (Philip) Mire, Michael (Mollie), and Karl (Audrey); her 31 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, her loving sister, Gail Golla, first cousins, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews, all of whom will cherish her memory forever.

31 Grandchildren: Stephanie, Thérèse, Daniel (Fiona), Marilyn, Christopher (Ashley), Katherine (Jared), Timothy (Lainey), Elizabeth (Joe Nathan), David (Teresa), Hannah (Brad), Bernadette (Andrew), Katrina, Monica (Jonathan), Joseph (Emma), Anya, Mary, Halyna, Josef, Patricia, Henry, Clare, Abigail, Michael Jr., Aidan, Andrew, Helen, Brigid, Ruth, Jane, Agnes, and Dominic.

31 GREAT grandchildren: Odette, Genevieve, Matthew, Austin, Jathan, Philip, Caroline, Conner, Maximillian, Emma, Julius, Mary-Rose, Cecilia, Augustine, Liam, Jameson, Cecily, Ellie, Jett, Conrad, Logan, Josie, Anastasia, Lilly, Jacob, Nicholas, Theo, Markus, Felicity, Damian, and Winnie.