Joanne Walker DuBose, born September 5, 1931, died on October 27, 2013, after a difficult and courageous battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents Howell C. Walker, Jr. and LaNora Short Walker; her son, Eddie Cade DuBose; her brother, Larry Walker; and sister-in-law, Marjorie Walker. She is survived by her husband, Elton R. DuBose of Calvert, Texas; her son, Clyde R. DuBose and his wife Nancy DuBose of Broaddus, Texas; her daughter, Lenora DuBose of Austin, Texas; and her brother Jerry C. Walker, his wife Jean Walker, and brother Claude P. Walker. She is also survived by grandchildren, Crystal DuBose, Curtis Barnes, and Casey Barnes; and great-grandchildren, Cade Barnes, Dylan Barnes, and Ellora Barnes.
Joanne was a strong, generous, intelligent, tireless, self-less, compassionate, straight-forward, and empathetic person. She had a thirst for knowledge that started as a child and continued until the last days of her life. She graduated from high school in Brookeland, Texas, at age 16, where she was a star basketball player (known by some as “the girl with the molasses-colored hair”).
After graduation, Joanne moved to Beaumont where she worked in a grocery store snack bar, then as a cashier, and later as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. She went to Chenier’s Business College taking business English, business math, typing, shorthand and business machines. In 1948, she moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and went to work in the Southwestern Gas & Electric Company billing department.
She married Elton DuBose in Appaloosas, Louisiana, on October 10, 1949. The next year they moved to Houston, Texas, where Joanne worked selling telephone and newspaper ads, then at Meyer Bros. Department Store where she became manager of the accounts receivable department. She later worked at the Federal Reserve Bank and at the Harris County Auditor’s Office. In 1959, Joanne and Elton moved to New Caney, Texas, where she purchased and operated the New Caney Food Market, the local grocery store. After the sale of the store, she took accounting, tax accounting, and business law classes at Massey Business College. In 1965, Joanne and family moved back to Houston, Texas, where she later earned her real estate agent, broker, and appraiser licenses. She worked in those capacities until 1978, when the DuBose family moved to Nacogdoches, Texas. In 1983, Joanne went to work at Merchants & Planters State Bank as cashier and COO. She worked there until her retirement in 1991.
Joanne dedicated her life to her children and family, and the betterment of herself and their lives. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She lived her life according to God’s word, with grace, dignity, and strong convictions regarding what is right and fair. She will be missed and loved forever.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 5127 North Street, Nacogdoches.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, or other charitable organizations in kind.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. 936-564-7333. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
