Obituary of Joann Roach

Joann Roach died in her home surrounded by her loved ones on February 28, 2023. She was born on February 6, 1937 in Roaring Creek, West Virginia. She was the oldest of seven children, Patricia, Wanda Jean, Richard, Nancy, Linda and Sharon. She married the love of her life John Leslie Roach in Clarksburg, West Virginia on March 6, 1954, a month after her 17th birthday. They were together for 61 years, separated by his death in 2016.

She loved gardening, especially her roses, bird watching, reading, traveling and shopping. She enjoyed great family gatherings and Sunday dinner at her house was second to none. Above all else, she loved her family. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a banquet manager at the Opryland Hotel but spent most of her life raising and loving her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Leslie Roach, son, John Leslie Roach Jr “little Johnny”, daughter, Marcia Ann Roach, grandson, Joshua Caleb Barton, grandson Gabriel Stone Jackson, son in law, Jack Lawrence Barton and her siblings, Wanda Jean, Richard and Nancy.

She is survived by her children, Sandra Dee (Danny) Oncale, Jennifer Elaine Barton, Leslie Jo (Steve) King, Charles Richard (Carmen) Roach, and Stacey Lashan Jackson. She has 14 living grandchildren, Elizabeth Blaine Barton, Bobbi-Jo Glasser, Demi Lynn Oncale, Cecilia Rene’ (Chris) Earheart, Jack Leslie (Rachel) Barton, Charles Cooper King, Frank Spencer King, Britta Ann Roach, John Everett (Diamond) Roach, Audra Elaine Roach, Callie Jo Roach, Haley Shea Jackson, Riley Faith Jackson, and Addy Hope Jackson. She has 12 great grandchildren, Kristin Hope Barton, Isabel Ann Barton, Joshua Sebastian Barton, Gabriella Dawn Raymond, Lathan Xander Barton, Cannon Joseph Hailey, Harper Rose Hailey, Karmello Jordan Jolly, Jackson Eugene Mapes, Harlan Fletcher Mapes, Oona Violet Barton, Ivy Josephine Barton.

She cherished her “great big family” and was always happiest surrounded by those she loved and who loved her so very much. Her life was dedicated to her family and trying to make the world a better place for as many as she could, for as long as she could. The loss of our earthly angel is not replaceable as she was at the heart of our family, always the source of love, compassion and the solid rock on which the family stood and was always grounded by. Comfort is found only in the peace of the certain knowledge that our earthly angel is now in Heaven.