JoAnn Hill's Obituary
Vibrant, loving, caring, strong, compassionate, vivacious and giving are but a few words to describe Mrs. JoAnn Crandall-Hill, an individual that loved the Lord, loved life and was a comforter for anyone she met.February 23, 1954 was a special day when baby JoAnn Crandall was born to Marshall and Dorothy Mae Crandall in Prichard, Alabama.In 1955, JoAnn and her family relocated to Los Angeles, Ca. She attended various schools in the Compton Unified School District and graduated from Dominguez High in 1972. She had a day job as a banker but at night, she came to life as a singer. She sang with a few groups including, 'Love Peace & Happiness' and 'Butler and the Girls.'In 1982, JoAnn and her husband welcomed their first child, Freddie Earl Branch. She was a great mother to her wonderful son. She taught him about singing and performing and how to have a relationship with God. At the time, JoAnn was a member of Greater New Community Baptist Church in LA. Soon after her son was born, she welcomed a baby girl, LaTreva Shalane Branch. After years of marriage, she divorced her husband and became a single mother, which wasn't easy, but with her strength and faith in God, she knew that one day the man that God had chosen for her would find her, (his good thing) and he did.That man was John Wesley Hill. Unknowingly, they had crossed paths before, in kindergarten. After they dated for several years, John and JoAnn joined together in holy matrimony and John became a great instant father of two, after which he and JoAnn added a wonderful little girl to love, Patrice LaToya Palmore. Relocating with the children to be with her husband, JoAnn moved to Oakland, CA. She found a church home at Bible Fellowship M.B.C. where she worked faithfully as a member of several choirs.In 1992, John and JoAnn welcomed their second baby girl, Amber Johnette Hill and she was very happy to be a mother again. JoAnn chose to become a 'stay-at-home' wife and mother. She also helped take care of his father, Moses Hill who passed away in 1997. She loved him dearly.In 2004, JoAnn was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy and she successfully beat her cancer. She had friends and family supporting her and through it all, she stayed in high spirits.In 2007, she helped welcome her first grandchild, Tyla Christine Rogers. She loved being a grandma and she spoiled Tyla. In return, Tyla loved her 'mamma'. Again, JoAnn became a stay at home grandma and then again, in 2008, she found a job she loved as a greeter at Walmart. She enjoyed making people smile.In 2011, she welcomed 2 more wonderful grandchildren, Carson Rogers and Makai Jackson.Those who knew her will agree that when she walked into a room, you knew she was there. She brought joy and happiness everywhere she went and she had many friends to show for that.She leaves to cherish her previous memory her beloved husband, John Wesley Hill; her son Freddie Earl Branch; daughters LaTreva Shalane Branch, Patrice Palmore and Amber Hill; her sisters Carolyn Newell, Kathelia Crandall; her brother Anthony Crandall; son-in-law Christopher Rogers; grandchildren Tyla Rogers, Carson Rogers and Makai Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. And we can't leave out her beloved dog, Smokey.
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