Mrs. JoAnne Owen White, 94, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, surrounded by family at Lincoln Manor in Fayetteville.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Donnie Browning officiating. Burial followed at Blanche Cemetery.

JoAnne was born Nov. 4, 1928, in the Coldwater community of Lincoln County, Tennessee to the late Grover Cleveland and Lillie Sue Bryan Owen. She was a 1944 graduate of Blanche High School and went on to obtain a degree from Cumberland College, and her master’s in library science from Middle Tennessee State University. Mrs. White was a devoted educator. She taught English and was librarian for many years in the Lincoln County School system. She began her career at Flintville High School, then on to Blanche High School, Central High School, Boonshill High School, and finally Central Junior High School before she retired in 1991. She also taught English as a second language in night classes, as well as adult GED classes. JoAnne was a member of the Senior Round Dozen, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Retired Teachers Association. She loved her church family at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, especially being part of the YY’s and delivering for Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include her daughters, Donna Jo (Bill) Sharp, Sonya Bryant, and Catherine Sgambati; grandchildren, Patricia Bryant Tapp, Amanda Bryant (Justin) Edwards, Brooke Sgambati (Peter Vizcarrondo), Rebecca Sgambati (Roger Eason), Michael Sharp, and David Sharp; great-grandchildren, Savannah Tapp, Joe Sharp, Blair Boldt, Emil Eason, Isabel Vizcarrondo; and brother, Harold Douglas Owen. In addition to her parents Mrs. White was preceded in death by her brother Donald Gilbert Owen and his wife Wanda; sister-in-law, Jeannette Owen; and sons-in-law, William M. Bryant, Jr. and Richard Sgambati.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mrs. White by donating to the Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association, in care of Will Locke, 2503 Pulaski Highway, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. JoAnne Owen White.