Joann Jackson Mearite was born May 13, 1940 in Halifax County, VA to the union
of Joseph Jackson, Jr. and Hallie Belle Ferrell Jackson. She was the second child of
seven children born to this Holy Matrimony. She was raised in the Birchland Park
Community of Halifax County where she joined and was baptized at Mountain
Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
She was educated in the Halifax County Public Schools and graduated from Mary
Bethune High School, Class of 1962.
Soon after graduating Joann relocated to the Nation’s Capital where she worked at the Hotel
Harrington in Washington, DC for over 25 years. Joann was a trusted employee and coworker at the still existent Downtown Washington landmark Hotel Harrington, which is still
operating after one hundred and two years.
Our beloved Joanne was known for her calming presence, her loving spirit, her generosity, her
listening ear, and her comforting and compassionate hugs. She loved God was led by the Holy
Spirit through her service and life journey. Sister Joanne also loved all her family members and
came home religiously, never missing Christmas holidays at home until her mother’s passing.
Deaconess Joanne Mearite was a founding member of Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, now known as
True Gospel Tabernacle of which she was an honorary member. She served in the ordained office of
Deaconess, treasurer of the Deaconess Board and was an active member of the choir under the leadership
of Senior Pastor Rev. Reginald Farmer. Her dutiful service for the Lord and unfailing faithfulness to the
Body of Christ at True Gospel Tabernacle lasted until her health prohibited her presence and leadership
Joann Mearite is proceeded in death by her parents, Joseph Jackson, Jr. and Hallie
Belle Ferrell Jackson and one younger brother, Joseph Donnell Jackson. She leaves to
cherish her memory two children, Angela Sherard and Anthony Mearite both of
Washington, District of Columbia.; and one daughter-in-law, Tiffany Mearite.
She also leaves three grandchildren, Pierre Stines (Sydney) of Charlotte, NC, Forrest
Edmunds (Treasure) of Danville, VA, and McKenzie Mearite of Washington, DC.
She has four great grandchildren, D’Angelo Stines, Steffen Stines, Aamiyah Hallie
Edmunds, and Haile Stines.
She leaves three sisters, Edna Logan, Helen Brooke Jackson, and Ruby Chambers; two
brothers, Ray L.C. Jackson and William Penn Jackson; one brother-in-law, Eugene
Logan, and one sister-in-law, Joyce W. Jackson.
She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.