Joanne Rose Schmidt

Joanne R. Schmidt (Gersey), long time resident of Athens, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the age of 88.

Joanne was born in the village of Crescent in the Colerain township of Belmont County, Ohio in 1936 to Martin Gersey and Joanna E. Vicich. She graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana in 1954, and Holy Cross Central School of Nursing in 1957. She worked as an RN in South Bend and briefly in Athens, after the family moved there in 1972. She later worked in the University of Georgia Admissions office.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes and mentoring children.

She married her “dream boat,” Michael, in the fall of 1957, and they spent the best 62 years of their lives together.

In her free time, she found a love for anything that would brighten up the world around her, whether it was caring for her flower and vegetable garden, crafting for friends and family, sewing something new from something old, or taking care of grandchildren that would later hope to reflect some of her kindness on those around them. 

She was also drawn to puzzles, from crosswords, to mystery novels, to the best strategy to win a game of bridge. Time spent with others followed the same pattern, as she always seemed to find the one best way to make someone feel loved and safe.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Janet and husband, Michael. She is survived by her sister, Tina, and brother, Marty; daughter, Michele May and husband, Joe; son, Eric Schmidt and wife, Cher; daughter, Jennifer Thaxton; grandchildren, Chris (BJ), Andy (Kristen), Ross (Kyounga), Daniel (Anna), Erica (Shelton), Thomas (Cait), Sarah (Cameron), Charlie, and Lewie; and great-grandchildren, Clementine, Ramona, and Caspian.

There will be a memorial service held at Lord & Stephens Athens at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 8th, with visitation one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a memorial contribution may donate to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Joanne’s honor, or a charity of your choosing, to continue to brighten our natural spaces in her memory. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Manor Lake Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice for their care and compassion at the end of her life.

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements. 

www.lordandstephens.com