JoAnne Ness Mashburn died peacefully on August 3, at her home in Tiger at the age of 84. Born in Snohomish County, Washington, the daughter of John Ness and Dorothy Victoria Micone, JoAnne remained close to her family in the Northwest. In 1956 JoAnne and family settled in Rabun County, where many continue to reside.

After receiving an injury while working at Rabun Mills, she attended North Georgia Technical College and received her degree as a Medical Technician. She worked for Drs. King, Fowler and Pennington in Clayton until she retired. Coming out of retirement, she worked as a cook at Tallulah Falls School and assisted H&R Block and the local AARP chapter with tax services. She was also actively involved in the Homebound and Funeral Ministries at St. Helena Catholic Church. JoAnne relished every opportunity to learn something new whether teaching herself Italian or Spanish, or researching her family genealogy. She enjoyed photography, knitting, weaving, sewing, playing her dulcimers and traveling – including connecting with and visiting family in Texas, California, Norway, and Italy.

JoAnne created her own close-knit and loving family. She is preceded in death by her parents and her dear daughter, Luanne Mashburn Sosebee. She is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Mashburn of Tiger; two sisters Kaye Harris and Jan Harke of Texas; son Bobby Mashburn of Augusta, GA; daughter Barbara Anderson of Washington, DC; son Chuck (Amy) Mashburn of Tiger, GA; son Alan Mashburn of Tiger, GA; daughter Lori Angela (Hugh) Nobles of Suwanee, GA; seven grandchildren: Tonya (Jaoa) de Godoy (Avon, CT), Anna (James) Bailey (Hartwell, GA), Suzanne (Danny) Merce (Hartwell, GA), Brenna (Ashley) Thomas (Hahira, GA), Elizabeth (David) Brown (Hartwell, GA), Andrew (Amy) Sosebee (Ashville, NC) and Lena Gillam Nobles (Suwanee, GA); and sixteen great-grandchildren, as well as her pet, Smokie.

Her family will cherish the fun and loving memories of life with JoAnne forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Helena Catholic Church, P.O. Box 534, Clayton, GA, 30525. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Regency SouthernCare Hospice for their support in her final days.

A Funeral Mass in JoAnne's honor will be held on October 6, 2018 at 11:00am at St. Helena Catholic Church with Father Pedro Poloche officiating. Inurnment will follow in the columbarium/memorial garden at St. Helena, immediately followed by a receptio

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.