JoAnn Loretta Weems

JoAnn Loretta Weems was born on July 1, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. After spending part of her childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, as a teenager, where she attended Booker T. Washington High School. She went on to study at Fort Valley State College, where she met her future husband, Albert George Weems. After earning her undergraduate degree, she received a master’s degree in elementary education from West Georgia College. This launched a career spanning more than forty years as an educator, curriculum specialist, and reading expert in Bartow County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools.

A woman of deep compassion and tireless service, JoAnn went far beyond her professional duties to support her students. She organized weekend and summer enrichment programs that fed both minds and bodies, often reminding others that a hungry child cannot learn. Known affectionately as Mama Weems, she extended that same nurturing spirit to her family. She raised five daughters—her beloved “girls”—with fierce love and taught them to love God and serve others, always mindful that someone else had less than they did. Her warm hugs were legendary, a quiet way of passing on her love and care.

JoAnn Loretta Weems is survived by her five daughters, Katia, Shari, Ashley, Jessica, and Tammer. To Llana and Kiyah, she was known as Nanny. She is also survived by many sisters-in-love, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert George Weems, and her mother, Fannie Mae Evans.

A woman of many gifts, JoAnn’s rich mezzo-soprano voice often filled her home, especially on birthdays. As Maya Angelou observed, people may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. JoAnn made everyone around her feel seen, heard, and deeply loved. Her light and her example of God’s love will continue to shine through all those she touched.