JoAnn Spruell

JoAnn Ingram Spruell passed away on May 15, 2023 at the age of 88 surrounded by family and close friends.  She was born January 11, 1935 in Abilene, TX to Carl and Willie Mae Ingram and later moved to Azle with her family before meeting her husband, Ellis Spruell.  She fell in love with Ellis while he was on leave from the Air Force and they married November 9, 1951.  Ellis and JoAnn were married for 49 loving years before his death in 2001.

JoAnn embraced the life of a military spouse and moved every few years, and sometimes less, early in her marriage.  One of her fondest memories was that of her time in Italy.  She happily shared her stories and adventures of his wonderful time in her life that took place over the next twenty years.

After the military time came to an end, JoAnn and Ellis settled in Joshua, TX in 1964 where she began the second chapter of her journey.  In 1968, JoAnn’s father, Carl, who was a carpenter by trade, built the house that she has lived in since. 

JoAnn was a real estate agent at Century 21 for many years in Joshua and Burleson. She loved being able to meet people and help them find their dream home.  This was truly a cherished time in her life.  Even today you will come across a longtime Joshua resident that remembers her selling them the house which they still live in today. 

Joann enjoyed her many hobbies.  She went on several cruises and loved the adventure of traveling to new places.  She loved going to the casinos to try to win big or maybe lose just a little.  She enjoyed local theater and went to almost every production at The Plaza Theater in Cleburne.  She loved the game of golf and later was a member of the Burleson Widows Golf Club where she enjoyed luncheons with the ladies whom she had played golf with in her earlier years. 

She was a loving, caring, and selfless sole that treasured family and friends.  She was a very proud mother and grandmother whose face would light up when she talked about her grandsons Austin and Ryan.  She also would make a point to know all her neighbors and was never shy to introduce herself and get to know all about you.  JoAnn truly never met a stranger.  She might find a new friend while picking out a watermelon at the grocery store.  Joann touched so many lives and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her husband Ellis Spruell; daughter Debra Spruell; her sister Gloria, brothers Carl Jr., Billy Bob, and Jerry Don; and her parents Carl and Willie Mae Ingram.

She is survived by her sister Betty Wheeler of Burleson, brother Jack Ingram and wife, Dora of Azle; her son Rodney Spruell and wife Tracy of Lucas; grandsons Austin Spruell and Ryan Spruell of Lucas, and many nieces and nephews that loved her.

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A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.

—MAYA ANGELOU

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.

—ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. In my home, in my head, in my heart.

—NIKITA GILL

The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you, shall never pass away.

—UNKNOWN

Grief is the price we pay for love.

—QUEEN ELIZABETH