Mrs. JoAnn Brennen Sowell

My sister Denise asked me to write Mom’s obituary for our family and I hope this expresses the story of our Mom and how she impacted the lives of her family and friends.
Our Mother, JoAnn Brennen Sowell, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon August 10, 2020 at Bryan St. Joseph’s Hospital after a lengthy battle with double pneumonia and Covid–19 – just 57 days after the death of her beloved husband John Sowell. All of her caretakers at the hospital did a wonderful and heartfelt service trying to overcome this and we all are forever grateful for the love and compassion that they gave her since we couldn’t be with our Mom. Our family would also like to thank and acknowledge the support and excellent care she received from the staff members at the Navasota Nursing and Rehab for the past 10 years, Allumine Health Hospice and her long-time physician Dr. Luke Scamardo. We wish to thank each and every one for all the kind expressions, thoughts and prayers of support during this time.
Due to the circumstances of COVID-19 that has affected all of us, the casket will be closed at all times for the safety and health of others. Face masks will be required. Visitation with the family will be held at Nobles Funeral Chapel from 10-11 a.m. with a service following at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020, officiated by Rev. Mac Vaughn. The burial will immediately follow the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Carlos.
JoAnn Brennen Sowell was born in Pilot Point, Texas on 25 May, 1936. Mom was born to her birth Mother, Kate Stinson Moss, and named Lois Catherine Moss. She was given up for adoption at a few months old and was adopted by my Grandparents Mike and Thelma Brennen who had two sons, David and Harry. Mom and Grandad, as we called them, now had their little girl and David and Harry got their little sister. At adoption Mom’s name was changed to JoAnn Brennen. I recently found out that Mom’s lifelong best friend Lois Finke’s name is Lois Catherine, an interesting bond of friendship that came together in a name. She loved her Mom and Dad and adored her brothers as they did her. In later years some of her happiest times were enjoying the family times at Mom and Grandad’s retirement ranch in Boerne. As an artist, she found the beauty and serenity at the ranch breathtaking and her paintings expressed that.
Mom and Dad married on June 16, 1950 and over a span of 70 years had and enjoyed raising their three children, Don, Denise and Dana. They made their home in Navasota and later retired in Anderson. Mom was a grand Christian lady that never met a stranger and always found the good in people. Everyone she met experienced her contagious, beautiful smile and her unique laugh. I don’t recall her ever having a negative thing to say about anyone other than her saying that she would try to help people not to hate and to make proper choices in life. In her own unique and special way she turned the lives of many people around without much more than caring and heartfelt words of advice. She loved to cook for all and was happiest seeing her family and friends enjoy her meals while enjoying the fellowship of love in her home. Our home was also the home for many young children over a span of thirty years as she ran a day care in our home. Mom was known as Aunt Jo, Granny Jo and Nana to her extended family of kids and I often hear from adults to this day that tell me they stayed at her day care and recall many fond memories. Many of those grew up and had children that Mom also kept. Our home was a happy home for us and the lives of the many children that Mom’s love touched.
Mom loved her husband, children, son-in law and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was happiest watching the fellowship within the family. She guided all of us in life through her teachings of love and caring for others along with appreciating the simple joys of life. Mom – you went from Lois Catherine to JoAnn, to Mom, to Aunt Jo, Granny Jo and Nana, and we all appreciate your special gifts teaching us what family means. You can now Rest in Peace with Dad.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents and husband, her brother David Brennen and wife Dolly, brother-in-law Morris Sowell and wife Lou Nell, her sister-in-law Sammie Hall and husband Mabry and several nieces and nephews.
Mom is survived by her son Don and daughter-in-law Gail, daughter Denise and son-in-law Joe Shead, son Dana and Gynti Pinon, a special person dear to her heart; grandchildren Holly Bankston and husband Robert, Clint Branch and wife Diana, Brandi Waitz and husband Dave, Ashleigh Krause and husband Tanner, Jason Sowell, Krysten Sowell, and Justin Sowell and wife Tiffany. Great-grandchildren Kaytryn and Audrey Bankston, Abbygail and Brooklyn Branch, Luke and Colton Waitz, Payton, Garett, Hudson and Everleigh Sowell, and Parker and Tucker Sowell. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Brennen and wife Flo, brother-in law Lon Ed Sowell and wife Bobbie and a host of nieces and nephews.
Grandchildren, Jason, Justin, Holly, Clint, Brandi and Ashleigh will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer is granddaughter Krysten.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations could be made to the Grimes County Senior Center, P.O. Box 591, Anderson, TX 77830. Photos can be viewed and kind words and fond memories may be expressed at www.noblesfuneral.com .