JoAnne Holley

JoAnne (Moton) Holley, 73 of Worcester passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 26th, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.  JoAnne is survived by two sons, S. Bernard Holley and Simon Holley; four daughters, Toni Holley, Mary Holley, Natasha Holley and Elaine Holley and her husband George Tucker; three brothers, Grady Jefferson, Jerome Jefferson, and Vincent Simpson; five sisters, Dorothy Harris, Patricia Robinson, Cynthia Walker, Evelyn Simpson, and Carolyn Johnson; fourteen grandchildren any many more great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Bennie Moton and Fannie Jefferson; her daughter, Phoebe Holley and two brothers, Nathaniel Gibson and Edgar “Champ” Smith.  JoAnne was born on July 10, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama. She moved to the small mining town of Welch, West Virginia where she was raised and attended school. JoAnne eventually migrated to Worcester where she resided for over fifty years. JoAnne was a longtime member of Second Baptist church in Worcester; she was well known for her great cooking and for helping those in need, JoAnne could always be found in the church kitchen helping to prepare the repast for those who lost a loved one. JoAnne also enjoyed being outside in her garden, but she most enjoyed being around her family and will be dearly missed as the Matriarch.  Friends and relatives are invited to a period of visitation on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, MA with her funeral service to immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. A procession will depart from the funeral home to Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton where JoAnne will be interred. To view JoAnne’s guest book and share your thoughts and memories please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com.