Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, JoAnn A. Earles, age 86, of Columbus, Ohio (formerly of South Charleston, Ohio), passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born in Meigs County, Ohio on July 26, 1939, the daughter of David E. Bailey and Mollie (Williams) Glispie. JoAnn was raised on her grandparents’ farm in Ray, Ohio. She was a lifelong Ohioian and finally settled into retirement in Clark County.
She was a natural caregiver having cared for family and private patients at home and in nursing homes for many years before trying her hand in the public sector. She was Mawmaw to 3 generations of family and all their friends too. She enjoyed crafts especially quilting and loved to renovate and reupholster old furniture. She was a master thrifter and loved to shop for family that needed things. She never knew a stranger. She lived by her faith every day. Her sweet soul will be missed by everyone she touched.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her father and mother, grandparents John and Dulcima (Nickels) Williams, first husband Warren C. Craig, daughter Malinda (Craig) Smith, brothers Franklin Williams and Dannie Craig, and sisters Carol (Craig) Hiser and Loretta Glispie.
She is survived by her husband, Walter Earles; daughter Peggy (Craig) Cofer; grandchildren Kelli (Gregg) Inskeep, Kandee Smith, Sarah (Jason) Sparks, Samantha Ooten, and Edward (Eddie) Cofer; great-grandchildren Tyler (Grace) Newman, Addison Inskeep, Kade (Faith Marx) Lowe, Rhiley Lowe, Charlie Ooten, Eliza Sparks, Evelyn Sparks and Matthew Sparks; and great-great-grandson Rogan Lowe. She is also survived by her brothers Charles (Alice) Williams and Tommie (Mary) Craig; sisters Patricia Bedick and Beverly (Craig) Hewitt, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to send special thanks to JoAnn’s Caregivers, Eric and Terran of E&M Home Care and to the Hospice of Central Ohio Care Team for their dedicated care and compassion during our time of need.
Memorial Service will take place on Monday, December 15, 2025 with visitation at 1:00pm and service at 2:00pm at FAMILIES FIRST CREMATION AND FUNERAL AT EDWARDS, 1166 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mid-Ohio Foodbank Mid-Ohio Foodbank – mofc.org or any local foodbank of your choice.
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