Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Joan Chamblin Sallis of Fayetteville, Georgia passed away on Monday, May 16 2022 at the age of 86. Joan was born on March 31, 1936 in Sumner, Mississippi to the late Lloyd Augustus (Buck) Chamblin and Jewell Hall Chamblin.
Although she was raised in a small town in the Mississippi Delta, Joan dreamed of traveling the world. As an avid reader, she wanted to experience the places she read about for herself. The joy of her life was her daughter, Julie, who she raised as a single mom working full time. She had an exciting career working with NASA on the Apollo space missions. After seeing Julie off to college, at age 40, Joan was able to realize her childhood dream of traveling when she switched careers and joined the Foreign Service to live and work overseas. She served as administrative assistant to the ambassador in embassies in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Spain, and Chile. She retired early to Destin, Florida because she loved the ocean. In retirement she spent time with her grandchildren, learned to paint, organized art shows, protected sea turtles, and even earned her associates degree.
Joan will forever be remembered by her family and friends for her vibrancy, fun-loving personality, generosity, and love for people. She hosted great parties and brought life to every room she entered. Her unconditional love for her family, especially her daughter, was evident to all.
Joan will forever be cherished by her daughter, Julie (David) Kilgore; her grandchildren Ryan (Lauren) Kilgore and Whitney (Eli) Akin; her great grandchildren Evangeline, Beatrice and L.D. Akin; her brothers Buck (Marge) Chamblin and Frank (Noreen) Chamblin; several nieces and a nephew, and a host of other family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Living Faith Fellowship, 1481 Redwine Rd, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the nonprofit ministry, M25 Barbecue, Inc. in honor of Joan Sallis. Details for donating can be found at https://www.m25barbecue.com/donate
The Sallis family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 W, Fayetteville. Messages of condolence may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com.
Carol Boyd says
My heart is sadden. I spent most of 9th grade with Julie. The love she & her mother had has been a memory i have cherished & carried with me all these years. I am blessed to have shared that same love with my son as a single parent. Here’s to a real lady…heaven has gained another angel to watch over us. My love & condolences.
Diana Schuster says
My Aunt Joan was larger than life; with personality plus who had a love of adventure! She was a wonderful role model; showing me that a woman can do absolutely anything and everything they want to do if they have the dedication, drive, and determination to do it!!! Fun and fiercely independent, she brought laughter and joy everywhere she went. I always wanted to be like Joan. ( I still do!) I know her family and friends will miss her shining light, but I also know Heaven is happy to have her!!!
Janis says
I remember Joan fondly and with such good memories. She loved Jewel, her daughter, “fiercely” and beautifully and it always showed. They had an extraordinarily close bond evident to everyone. Joan was always cheery, caring and welcoming. I’m sorry for your loss, but I know they rejoice that she is now with her Savior Jesus in Heaven and whole once again. May God bless and comfort you in this time of loss and transition without such a shining strong light. You will meet again, praise Him! Psalm 116:15: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Beth Chamblin says
My cousin, Diana, in her statement above, eloquently conveys the significance that our Aunt Joan had in our lives. She definitely shaped the person I am today by exposing me to different cultures and ideas. She was a great role model to me and I, too, always wanted to be like my Aunt Joan (and still do)! I frequently (and shamelessly) bragged to others about my “cool Aunt” who worked for NASA and the state department. Her love for family and friends, her big heart, open mind, beautiful smile, contagious laugh, and independent spirit will always be cherished.
Sahadevan says
My wife and myself had met Joan just for two days in the summer of 1997 during the wedding of our son (Sharath) to Joan’s niece (Beth) at St Louis. Her radiant personality left a lasting impression on us. Our heartfelt condolences.
Dear Frank,
We know that passing away of your dear sister is an irreparable loss.we pray Almighty give give you sufficient strength not only to bear up with the loss but also to consol those near and dear
Grace Ann Walters Harrington says
It is hard to put in words what Joan meant to me. We grew up together in our sweet little town of Sumner, I was born in January and Joan in March. We did everything together. Started first grade all the way to high school graduation. I would meet her at the bridge on Sundays and we walked to church. We climbed trees, played paper dolls , we collected story book dolls and on and on. We would have card parties and cook candy with our boy friends. We went to different colleges but would meet on holidays. I was maid of honor in her wedding and she was in mine. Good memories
Joan was a special person in my life. She was such a fine Christian and so much fun. I am sad but I know she is happy to be with our Lord and her loved ones.