Joan Marie Jones

Joan Marie Jones was born May 5th, 1945 to Sammie and Alverda Hunt in Detroit, MI. The second youngest of seven children, Joan was an inquisitive, fun loving child who her siblings noted as very smart. At 16, Joan graduated with honors, from Northwestern High School. Upon graduating she enrolled in community college advancing her studies in social work. With Joan’s genuine love of people, she would embark on a career as a Social Worker/Case Manager and a servant giver, that would span more than 50 years. Joan lived her life guided by God and grounded in family.

In the early 1960s, Joan met her first love, Charles Jackson and from that union, their only daughter, Brenda Faye Hunt was born. From shopping hauls, to cross-country family travel and college drop offs, Joan’s greatest joy was providing for her daughter.

While working for the State of Michigan she found a wonderful community of loving, like-minded colleagues who became family. The Joy Rd. & Greenfield Crew they dubbed themselves. These women worked tackling some of Detroit’s toughest challenges; empowering, educating, and coaching inner-city moms promoting education and career.

In 1978, Joan became a founding Board Member of the Voices of Deliverance gospel choir, under the late Donald Vails where she guided dozens of talented youth who would today be recognized as Detroit’s greatest talents.

During her later years, Joan carried her love for people and service to new heights. Joan followed her spirit of entrepreneurship opening several group homes— providing a safe and loving home, meals, a support system, and family, for adults with special needs. And later, poured her love of cooking into partnership with a companion and friend, where she owned and operated two restaurants, Big Bite in Detroit and The Bread of Life in Muskegon, Mi.

Yet of all her accomplishments, Joan’s proudest moments in life centered around family. She and the youngest of her siblings, Emily, were caregivers to their father, Sammie, allowing him to age safely and securely at home. Over the years her home served as a safe haven for loved ones in times of need. Her daughter Brenda—whom she lived within the years ahead of her untimely departure—her granddaughter Brandi and her great-grandchildren Austyn and Stone—were the light of her life and most notable bragging right.

She served as a hospitality member at Perfecting Church, for several years. In 2008 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, to which she fought diligently, and even in the most uncertain times—both in health and societal crises—she acknowledged her faith in God as her one constant and truth. Through several bouts of illness, Joan remained positive, steadfast, and looked to her faith and family as reasons to live.

Joan is now reunited with her son, Morris Whitehead Jr., her first husband, Moses Jones, her brothers and sister, and parents with their Lord and Savior. They watch over the eldest living Hunt matriarch Emily Hunt, her daughter, Brenda, her granddaughter Brandi and great-grandchildren Austyn and Stone. She also watches over bonus daughter, Karen Batey, grandchildren, Kia and Kyria Batey and great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. In addition countless dear friends and extended family, including Geraldine Larkins, Pat Sanford, Sonya Walls, Brenda Calhoun, Ilene Wiggins, Renee Ellis, and Morris Whitehead.

The legacy of Joan’s spirit of serving, caring, of fortitude, positivity, and her deep love of family will live on through them.