JoAnn Stuart Dawes Blade was born to Julius Prentiss Stuart and Annie Belle Ledkins Stuart on November 13, 1936, in a small house on their ranch in what was Foster, Texas in Fort Bend County. She was an Old Three Hundred descendant from The Foster family.

She and her brothers walked to the old one-room Foster School on FM 359, which is now a museum where she served as a board member. She graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School in 1954.

JoAnn married Roger A. Dawes, Jr., and had five children with him. She later married Jerome Blade. Finally, she found the love of her life, James R. Woods. They remained together until his death in 2018.

While in high school and afterward, Jo Ann worked at the Richmond Library. Later, she worked for the US Post Office as a mail carrier. She also was a manager for Dairy Queen, where she put her children to work; she always had the cleanest store. She then worked with Jerome helping on his laundry route. She was a blessing to her parents in their later lives as a caregiver. She also cared for her Aunt Viola Ledkins, and James's mother Lillian Woods, until their deaths.

JoAnn loved gardening. She graduated from the Master Gardener program of Fort Bend County. Since she lived in the woods, she grew caladiums very well and loved them dearly. Gardening was both her hobby and her exercise and contributed to her long life.

She was a member of the Heather and Thistle Society and took bagpipe lessons. She loved bagpipe music and often threw St. Patty's Day parties at the ranch. The parties featured members of the Houston Highlanders Pipe and Drums band.

She was a member of Grace Community Bible Church, which she and James Woods attended regularly. She volunteered in the church coffee shop by bringing donuts and making coffee on Sundays.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents Julius and Annie Belle Stuart, brother Mayes Clark Stuart, grandsons Jacob James Johnson, Abel Mayes Dawes, and James Woods. She is survived by her brother Julius P. Stuart, Jr. and wife Elizabeth, and five children: Paul Dawes (Diane), Diana Power (Robert), Kimberly French, Marianne Dawes and Timothy Dawes (Shelia); grandchildren Stephanie Petrosky (J.R.), Nation Dawes (Haley), Justice Dawes, Robert Power, III, Julie Atkins (Robert), Casey Power (Lauren), Kenny Power (Kristen), Rianne Wollgast (Kyle), Charlotte Dawes and Tim Dawes; and seventeen great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be 4-6 pm Sunday, 3/30/25, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Chapel, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg. The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Monday, 3/31/25, at Grace Community Bible Church, 5121 FM 359, Richmond, with graveside services following at Morton Cemetery, Richmond.

Donations may be made to Grace Community Bible Church in her honor. To honor JoAnn the family asks that you wear Purple or Green.

Condolence messages may be written for the family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.