JoAnn DeWees

JoAnn DeWees, 89, of Farmington, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 12, 1936, in Albuquerque to John and Ruth Keating, JoAnn's life was marked by kindness, creativity, and unwavering faith.

She married the love of her life, Carl DeWees, and embraced his four children as her own, pouring her heart into their lives. JoAnn's steadfast Christian faith shaped everything she did-she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and, in her later years, a great-grandmother. Those who knew JoAnn remember her not only for her deep love for her family, but also for her artistry and skill. She built a business, "JoAnn's Dolls," where she hand-poured and painted dolls and sewed their intricate clothing, earning Best of Show at the San Juan County Fair many times. JoAnn was also an amazing seamstress, known for crafting beautiful quilts that became treasured family heirlooms.

Her love of beauty extended to her gardens, where she grew vegetables and flowers that could have graced the pages of Better Homes and Gardens. Her blooms, like her dolls, frequently won top honors at the county fair. JoAnn led Missionettes and for more than 20 years taught children's Sunday School. In the last 2 years she also opened her home for a cherished Bible study, where friends from Daily Church gathered not just to study, but to share meals and life together, deepening their faith and friendship.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Clint DeWees (Christie), Bryant DeWees (Melissa), and Elaine Parker of Albuquerque; grandchildren Lt. Colonel Brad DeWees, Kelli McWinn (Joshua), Megan Baca (Ryan), Nick Parker (Cori), Katie Parker, Nate DeWees (Amanda), Kyle DeWees, Taylor Eddleman (Jordon), and Pauline DeWees; and great-grandchildren Rylie Jo McWinn, Easton McWinn, Jacob McWinn, Lydia McWinn, Jackson DeWees, Henry DeWees, Milo Baca, Zoey Baca, Eleanor DeWees, and Nash Parker, and she was loved by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Keating; her sisters, Mary Ruth, Joyce, and Wanda Faye; her son Matthew, and husband Carl DeWees.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Daily Church, 805 Saguaro Trail, Farmington, New Mexico.

JoAnn will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew her.