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In loving memory

Meador Funeral Home – Gainesville

Private, family memorial will be held in late March 2022

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville. At this time no services are scheduled.

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In the early morning hours of Sunday, February 13, 2022, Joann Elizabeth (Leblanc) Smith, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with Covid-induced pneumonia. Her family and friends find peace knowing her heart has been restored and made new in Heaven alongside our loving savior Jesus Christ.

Joann was born on August 10, 1943 in Raines, Louisiana to Gordon and Rose (Johnson) Robinson; however, Houston, TX was where she called home. She graduated from Heights High School (formerly known as Reagan High School) and discovered her love for gardening during her college years. It was also during that time she gave birth to two beautiful children, David and Lisa. In 1979, she met the love of her life, James “Bud” Smith, and the two married on May 19, 1979. Bud also had two children, Teri and Jeff, and the six of them blended together to create a beautiful life, full of adventure, compassion, loyalty, strength, humor, and of course, an abundance of love. Gardening was not only a passion to Joann, but a commitment. Joann was a Certified Master Gardener, and made strong efforts to pass her gardening knowledge on to her friends, children, grand and great grandchildren. She and Bud moved to Lake Kiowa in 2003 after Bud’s retirement. She volunteered countless hours in the Gainesville Hospital gift shop, was an active member of the Lake Kiowa Woman’s Club, served as chairman of the Garden and Nature Club, and was involved in other various organizations. As she always did in a community, Joann emulated a joyous, selfless, sparkling spirit wherever she went. In 2011, she was asked by the Lake Kiowa Board of Directors to chair the Front Gate Beautification Committee. Her committee successfully designed the front entrance of Lake Kiowa and created a beautiful and welcoming sight for all who pass through the Lake Kiowa gates. Joann was also instrumental in a very successful business venture with her husband, Bud. She founded their own company—Lazy Susan’s by Joann. She hand-made, designed, and hand-painted lazy susans, which were marketed worldwide through Amazon and trade shows. She sold through the commercial outlet Buccee’s, and still has her products being used at all Babes restaurants, as well as many other venues. Lazy susans are most often found in common areas such as kitchens and dining room tables, where friends and families gather together. It’s no coincidence this was an underlying theme behind Joann’s product—to provide convenience with impeccable design for places loved ones met. In 2019, she sold her business when she began her fight in the ring against Cancer, which she proudly won, and was in remission at the time of her death. Joann and Bud were also active members of the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, TX. Above all of her accomplishments, endeavors, and successes, she prioritized family first. As Joann always said, “You ALWAYS have family. They are ALWAYS there.” You could most often find “Nonnie”, “Granny”, or “Granny Ann” on her back porch with her dogs, Bud, her children, and grand/great grandchildren laughing and enjoying genuine conversation! She would do anything for her family, and that was what she took pride in the most. She and Bud built a beautiful family together, and because of her example, her family will continue to carry on her matriarchal reputation through generations and generations to come.

Joann was preceded in death by her father, Gordon, and her mother, Rose. She is survived by her husband, Bud, their four children, David Sandoz (Julia) of Plano, TX, Lisa Alderson (David) of Lubbock, TX, Teri Taylor (Mike) of Lake Kiowa, TX, Jeff Smith (Elizabeth) of Van Alstyne, TX, her brother, Jimmy Robinson of Houston, TX, and her 11 grandchildren, Sean Taylor (Mettie) of Lake Kiowa, TX, Jeffrey Smith (Molly) of Plano, TX, Lauren Myers (Kirby) of Horseshoe Bay, TX, Courtnie Taylor of Fort Worth, TX, Emily Alderson of Austin, TX, Paige Taylor of McKinney, TX, Nathan Smith (Lauren) of Dallas, TX, Hailey Sandoz of College Station, TX, and Lily Alderson of Waco, TX, Clinton Thompson (Holly) of McKinney, Texas, Nick Thompson of Euless, Texas.  She is also survived by her 10 great grandchildren, Finn, Elliot, Graham and Rowan Taylor of Lake Kiowa, TX, Cohen and Norah Smith of Plano, TX, and Grace and Jack Myers of Horseshoe Bay, TX, Dylan & Tyler Thompson of McKinney, Texas.

A private, family memorial will be held in late March 2022. In lieu of flowers, Joann requested donations to the following two organizations: 1)   “The Joann Smith LK Front Gate Memorial Fund.” ( a special memorial fund has been set up to honor Joann’s effort to beautify the front entrance at Lake Kiowa). Please make checks payable to: “The Joann Smith LK Front Gate Memorial Fund”. The checks may be dropped off or mailed to: First State Bank, PO Box 10, Gainesville, TX 76241 or by transfer of funds at the same bank.. 2) The American Cancer Society: Visit the following link: https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html#