Joann Vestal

Joann Vestal spent a lifetime sharing love and laughter. A respected role model and gifted teacher, Joann impacted the lives of her family, friends, and many students to become better people. Her influence increased peoples’ faith in God through her consistent, devout belief. Her unwavering love for Dick Vestal, her husband of 71+ years, created a beautiful family of six children, 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and spouses dedicated to each other and high family values. And, her quick wit and infectious smile warmed the hearts of all who knew her.

Mary Joann was born on October 30, 1930 to HC and Eva Curtis Eckelberger. She and her brother, HC Junior, grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. She attended Our Lady of Victory School where she made early friendships that she maintained throughout her entire life. Known as a somewhat precocious child, Joann enjoyed sharing stories of trying the nuns’ patience with schoolgirl antics. However, there was no doubt she was also establishing the foundation of faith that would last a lifetime.

After graduating from high school, Joann attended Texas Women’s College then Texas Tech University in pursuit of a degree in education. Riding the train from Fort Worth to the plains of West Texas to attend college was an exciting change in Joann’s life. But something else was about to change, and they say “it all started on a blind date”. Elmore Isaac, Jr. “Dick” Vestal of Cross Plains, Texas was also attending Texas Tech. The handsome Agricultural Education major’s best friend suggested Dick meet Joann on a blind date. The two had so much fun on the date that it lasted all day. Joann loved to tell the story of how she wasn’t very impressed by the peanut farmer from Cross Plains, but his 1940 Ford convertible got him one more date. A romance as picturesque as a West Texas sunset blossomed with Dick proposing to Joann at Prairie Dog Town.

Joann and Dick married on June 1, 1951 surrounded by family and friends at St. Ann’s Club in Fort Worth. Upon their return from a Colorado honeymoon Dick received orders to report to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Joann loaded up the car and lived as a serviceman’s wife in San Antonio, then at Fort Ord, California, and across the country to Fort Benning, Georgia until Dick was deployed to Korea in1952. At this very tender time, Joann learned to be strong and have faith as Dick left for overseas duty. She also learned she was going to have a baby! Richard Joseph (Ricky) Vestal was born in 1952. Dick received the news of his new daughter (oops son!) by wire while defending freedom in Korea. Joann could hardly wait for Dick’s return to Texas and to begin their lives as new parents and teachers. They expanded to a family of six: Daniel Curtis (Danny) in 1954, Tom Andrew (Andy) in 1956, Cynthia Ann (Cindy) in 1958, Harry Christopher (Chris) in 1961 and Michael David (Davy) in 1963. Raising six children was an everyday adventure for Joann and supplied ample content for her humorous storytelling abilities. Her delightful sense of humor made her a fan of Erma Bombeck, an author about family life. In fact, after giving an oral book review at a conference in Chicago Joann was mistaken for Erma Bombeck!

There is no mistake in how serious Joann took her role as a teacher. Mrs. Vestal taught multiple grades for thirty years including reading, math and a personal favorite unit on Hawaii. Most importantly, she taught her students confidence, compassion and responsibility. These were the same traits she was teaching her growing family at home: to love, have faith, be a good spouse, and not take yourself too seriously.  She became a role model by the way she lived her life. She loved music. Joann was the music director and organist at St. Joachim Catholic Church for more than 25 years. She helped others. As a member of Holy Family Catholic Church of Abilene, she volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store for many years helping others with food and utility bills. She enjoyed life. Joann and Dick were avid members of the Wagon Wheel Square Dance club and travelled the nation in their infamous RV. She was a true friend. She hosted, played bridge and chatted with precious friends as regularly as possible. She was a storyteller. She always had the latest news, piece of advice, or joke to share (especially if it was related to “Snoopy”). She was a historian. Her memory was driven by records – newsletters of the years, picture albums from every trip, and photo frames that took up entire walls of the Vestal household. She was a romantic. Winning the newlywed game on a cruise after 50+ years of marriage is only one example of how proud she was of her relationship with Dick. She was present. Joann and Dick attended every birthday, every game, every play and every wedding they possibly could. Her presence made a difference. It made you feel special. She believed in you. She told you. She prayed for you.
Love has many names: Joann, Eckie, Mom, Mama, Mrs. Vestal, Granny, and Gaga. All who say her name, however they say it, have been blessed beyond measure. Joann passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on January 9, 2023 at the age of 92 years old.

She is celebrated by her husband Dick and her family including:

• Rick and Teri Vestal. Ryon and Sara Vestal with children Mason, Sutton, Callahan and Coryell. Rhett and Jessica Vestal with children Scarlett and Scout. Justin and Meredith Crump with children Barrett, Anna Grace and Ruth.
• Danny and Kim Vestal. Randa Barton. Coleman and Emily Vestal.
• Andy and Susan Vestal. Tom Vestal (deceased), Ray and Taylor Holliday with child Riley.
• Bryan and Cindy McCulloch. Lyle and Kelly Fouts with children Gage and Lexy. James and Nicky King with children Isaac, Kenzie and Canaan. Heath and Victoria McCulloch with children Samuel, Graham, Finley, Benson and Greyer.
• Chris and Rhonda Vestal. Sage and Toni Diller with children Brighton and Crew. Todd and Emily Vestal with children Jax, Charlie and Jolee. Jamie and Tamera Robinson with children Wells and Ellis.
• Davy and Dawn Vestal. Colton and Mary Vestal with child Payson. Reed and Christen Vestal with children Baron and Clancy. Kayla Vestal with child Knox.
• She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, daughter-in-law, Lachelle Wade Vestal.

And yes, every person in her family was named above because she valued, recognized and loved each and every one of them unconditionally, including her dog, Bit.

Please join us for a celebration of the life of Joann Vestal on January 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas. Also on January 12th a family burial will take place at 2:30 PM at the Vestal Family Cemetery near Cross Plains, Texas. A time of visitation will take place on January 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM followed by a Rosary at Parker-Jacobs Funeral Home, 141 East Third Street Baird, Texas.

The family requests that memorials in Joann’s honor be made to Dick and Joann Vestal Endowment Fund at the Diocese of San Angelo Foundation supporting the missions of Holy Family Catholic Church of Abilene or Hendrick Hospice Care.

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