1936
JoAnn
2014
JoAnn Garren Harbison Finnell
September 2, 1936 — November 2, 2014
JoAnn Garren Harbison Finnell, age 78, died at her home on November 2, 2014.
Born in Madisonville, she moved to Polk County at an early age. She was a 1954 graduate of Polk County High school and attended Cleveland State Community College. She retired from Production Credit Association where she worked for more than 35 years and was proud to work with farm families. She was elected to the Bradley County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
She spent much of her time involved with genealogical research. She was a Member of the DAR and Jefferson Davis Chapter 900 of the UDC where she recently served as Registrar. She was the former Secretary-Treasurer for the Polk County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Her family was designated as a First Family of Tennessee with ancestors having been in Tennessee at its statehood in 1796.
Mrs. Finnell was the author of The Resting Places – Cemeteries of Polk County, Tennessee and a Contributor to both The Heritage of Polk County, Tennessee and The Heritage of Bradley County, Tennessee. She, Basil and beloved son Joey spent many long hot days working on the cemetery project together. She received the Award of Distinction from the East Tennessee Historical Society for her work.
She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Lee Yates Garren, her first husband Winfred Harbison, her second husband Basil Finnell, step-daughter Linda Finnell Daugherty, brother-in-law Julian Hamby and special in-laws George W. and Ella Harbison.
She was a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church.
She dearly loved her family, was so proud of them, and cherished her time with them.
She was loved so much and will be missed by her children Cynthia Harbison Johnstone (husband Pat) of Nashville, Karen Harbison Taylor (husband Sid) of Knoxville, Joseph Harbison (wife Shelia) of Cleveland and step-son Steve Finnell (wife Houria) of California; 7 granddaughters Jennifer Hammonds (husband Chuck) of Cleveland, Amanda Foster (husband Daniel) of Clemson, SC, Tascha Harbison (T. J. Reid) of Chattanooga, Stephanie Goddard (husband Andy) of Knoxville, Cindy Taylor (Kenny Williamson) of Chattanooga, Meghan Callahan (husband Matt) of Cleveland and Betsy Grimes (husband Matt) of Chattanooga; 8 great-grandchildren Charlie and Shelby Hammonds, Zoe Foster, Marshall and Chloe Goddard, Scotland and Remy Callahan, and Taylor Grimes; sisters Johnnie Harvey (Thomas), Billie Hamby and brother Jimmy Garren (Crickett); special in-laws Charles and Alice Harbison; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other family members and close friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne Eddie Finnell officiating.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Finnell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.
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Born in Madisonville, she moved to Polk County at an early age. She was a 1954 graduate of Polk County High school and attended Cleveland State Community College. She retired from Production Credit Association where she worked for more than 35 years and was proud to work with farm families. She was elected to the Bradley County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
She spent much of her time involved with genealogical research. She was a Member of the DAR and Jefferson Davis Chapter 900 of the UDC where she recently served as Registrar. She was the former Secretary-Treasurer for the Polk County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Her family was designated as a First Family of Tennessee with ancestors having been in Tennessee at its statehood in 1796.
Mrs. Finnell was the author of The Resting Places – Cemeteries of Polk County, Tennessee and a Contributor to both The Heritage of Polk County, Tennessee and The Heritage of Bradley County, Tennessee. She, Basil and beloved son Joey spent many long hot days working on the cemetery project together. She received the Award of Distinction from the East Tennessee Historical Society for her work.
She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Lee Yates Garren, her first husband Winfred Harbison, her second husband Basil Finnell, step-daughter Linda Finnell Daugherty, brother-in-law Julian Hamby and special in-laws George W. and Ella Harbison.
She was a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church.
She dearly loved her family, was so proud of them, and cherished her time with them.
She was loved so much and will be missed by her children Cynthia Harbison Johnstone (husband Pat) of Nashville, Karen Harbison Taylor (husband Sid) of Knoxville, Joseph Harbison (wife Shelia) of Cleveland and step-son Steve Finnell (wife Houria) of California; 7 granddaughters Jennifer Hammonds (husband Chuck) of Cleveland, Amanda Foster (husband Daniel) of Clemson, SC, Tascha Harbison (T. J. Reid) of Chattanooga, Stephanie Goddard (husband Andy) of Knoxville, Cindy Taylor (Kenny Williamson) of Chattanooga, Meghan Callahan (husband Matt) of Cleveland and Betsy Grimes (husband Matt) of Chattanooga; 8 great-grandchildren Charlie and Shelby Hammonds, Zoe Foster, Marshall and Chloe Goddard, Scotland and Remy Callahan, and Taylor Grimes; sisters Johnnie Harvey (Thomas), Billie Hamby and brother Jimmy Garren (Crickett); special in-laws Charles and Alice Harbison; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other family members and close friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne Eddie Finnell officiating.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Finnell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.
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