Joan Whitehead

Joan Anne (Shainline) Whitehead of Cumming, GA passed away on June 4, 2024 at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband Francis F. Whitehead on November 7, 2018. Joan spent her childhood and early adulthood in Southeastern Pennsylvania with her four younger siblings. She and Francis were married for 64 years and exchanged many loving letters during his tour of service in Korea.

Joan was a talented musician. She played organ, violin and piano and taught piano for many years. She loved sewing, painting, needlework, quilting and any kind of crafting, producing many beautiful gifts for family and friends. She enjoyed traveling her whole life, especially in national parks and mountains as far flung as the Canadian Rockies and the Swiss Alps. Lovers of nature, she and Fran set up many bird feeders around their home and enjoyed watching the birds as they came and went.

Joan was known for her kindness to all as well as her quiet but quick wit. She was a loving wife, mother, and mother-in-law. She was the center and glue of our family, everyone’s favorite aunt. During her entire life she never met a stranger, only potential friends. She never lost her love of learning and became an avid texter in her late eighties. And she never stopped reading, particularly enjoying historical fiction and biographies.

Joan is survived by two children: daughter Sharon and son-in-law William Dennis of Salt Lake City, UT; son Glenn and daughter-in-law Vivian of Cumming, GA. She is also survived by sister Sally Milligan of Zieglerville, PA; 2 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Francis and Sarah Ann Shainline as well as siblings Shirley Warren, Kenneth Shainline, and Frank Shainline.

A funeral service will be held on June 17, 2024 at McDonald and Son in Cumming, GA (10 AM visitation and 11 AM service in the Chapel). A graveside service will be held on June 18, 2024 at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA at 11 AM.