JoAnn Whitehead

JoAnn Whitehead was born May 25, 1941 in Joliet, Illinois to Ira and Rosabell Barber. On September 1,2024, as she slept peacefully Our God whispered come home to glory. JoAnn was affectionately known as “Mama”, “Grandma” and “Granny Granny”, Sister, and Aunt JoAnn.  Family was most important, and she instilled that in each of her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  While always providing nuggets of wisdom to those who she made sure were listening, she would grab your wrist and look you in the eye and made sure you understood the conversation and had a plan of attack. She made sure every holiday was special, there was always easter eggs hunts, sloppy joe’s for Halloween and homemade birthday cakes. Christmas, she made dozens of cookies for her family, sisters, nieces and nephews.

She attended and graduated from Joliet Public Schools. As a young adult, JoAnn was a part of the “Jets” softball team. She organized events for the Manningdale neighborhood. After graduating from Dudley Cosmetology University in North Caroline. JoAnn held several positions as a carrier for Joliet Herald News, Supervisor of Joliet Park District after school program, and opening her own beauty shop out of her home called JoAnn’s Beauty Shop, retired from her position as CIS II caregiver from Easter Seal.

JoAnn was baptized on July 27, 1969, she was a member of Forest Park Christian Church. She enjoyed women’s ministry and traveling with the women’s retreat.  JoAnn trusted the Lord with everything and would tell others if you give it to God, you have to trust him.

JoAnn met the love of her life, Walter Whitehead, and was married for 35 years and to this union, eight children were born: Brian, Ted, Dayana, Philip, Corey, Wendell, Stacey, and Jennifer.

She is preceded in death by her ex-husband, Walter Whitehead; parents, Ira and Rosabell Barber; daughter, Dayana Whitehead (infancy); great-grandson, Alijah Whitehead (infancy); brothers, Donald Barber and Wilbert Barber; sisters, Geraldine Barber, Shirley Barber, and Delores Waddell; sisters-in-law, Sue Barber, Norma Jean Dantzler, and Linda Robinson; brothers-in-law, Donald Brown, James Dantzler and Monroe Waddell; close friend, Gloria Trice; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her seven children, Brian Whitehead, Ted (Victoria) Whitehead, Philip (Kelly) Whitehead, Corey Whitehead (Nirvana Edwards of Atlanta Georgia), Wendell (Eva) Whitehead of Cincinnati Ohio, Stacey (Douglas) Knack, and Jennifer (Jeffrey) McNair; brother, Eugene (Glory) Barber; and sisters, Earline Barber, and Monica Brown; best friends, Jerry (Edwin) Reese  and Doris Dodd (72 years of friendship). 

Her grandchildren all held a special place in her heart; Anthony (Camille) Whitehead, Kenneth, Geovannta, Wendell Jr., Carolyn, Deone, Ashley, Jeffrey, Jontel, Jomarre, Jalisa, Alexandria, Daynah, and Andrew, Malik and Kyla Knack; great-grandchildren, D-Niah, Amontae, Ameijah, Kyndell, Jamiore Sutton, Wendell III, Jeffrey III, Jomarre Jr., and Kira Anderson; great-great-grandchild, Kemistri McClellan.

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