Joan Harness

Graveside service for Joan Harness, age 91 of Sulphur Springs, TX will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Brigham Cemetery with Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Mrs. Harness passed away on January 13, 2022 at her home after a long illness.

Joan was born on November 21, 1930 in Emory, Texas to Alta and Fred Jones. She attended Emory and surrounding schools. Joan married Johnnie Hamm on December 24, 1950. He died from an accident on his job in 1963. She attended East Texas State College in Commerce, where she was regularly on the dean’s list and graduated with a master’s degree in education. Joan later married Leland Harness on December 26, 1971 and moved from Commerce to Sulphur Springs. She taught in both Commerce and Sulphur Springs school systems.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX. She especially enjoyed her Sunday school class and its loving members. Those who knew her remember her love of her family, her great cooking and her love for gardening.

She is survived by daughter, Carole Daniel and husband Randall of Greenville; sons, Jackie Hamm and wife, Pam of Commerce and Danny Harness and wife, Glenda of Birthright; grandchildren, Jacque Eshelman and husband, Daniel of Greenville, Leslie Whitson and husband, Adam of Sulphur Springs, Kacie Hamm and wife Natasha of Commerce, Michael Hoy and wife, Melissa of Pflugerville, Glenn Harness and wife, Rhonda of Birthright, Dana Wade and husband, Nathan of Birthright, Kevin Hamm and wife, Kira of Victoria and Kimberly Martin of Victoria; great grandchildren, Sarah Eshelman, Blake Eshelman, Claire Eshelman, Molly Clegg, Braden Hamm, Kaitlynn Harness, Emmalee Hamm, Hayden Hoy, Ryker Hoy, Preslie Hoy, Jonathan Hamm, Austin Martin, Avery Martin, Landon Harness, Alaina Wade, Braille Harness and Levi Harness; special nieces, Nancy Kruse, Sarah Young and Sharon Butler; honorary son, Larry Elkins.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Harness; sister Nadine Ashley; son Danny Hamm; grandchildren, Brad Daniel and wife, Melanie and Wayne Harness; great grandchild, baby Austin Harness.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as CASA, located at 218 Connally Street, Sulphur Springs, TX.