JoAnne R. Brace-Sholtz

JoAnne R. (Cooper) Brace-Sholtz, 73 of Gastonia, N.C. formerly of Worcester passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at The Robin Johnson House in Dallas, N.C. JoAnne is survived by her loving husband of twenty- three years, Robert S. Sholtz; three sons, Darryl Cooper of Gastonia, NC, Leroy Brace and his wife Yvette of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Eric Brace of Gastonia, NC; her daughter, Linda (Cooper) Banks and her husband Tyrone of Webster, NY; brother, Leonard Cooper; three sisters, Lois Nyako, Margo Sholtz and Cheryl Cooper all of Worcester: six grandchildren, Tyler and Travis Brace, Andrea, Olivea, Quentin and Elijah Banks; many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by two brothers, Norman Coates, Sr. and Vernon Cooper. JoAnne was born in Mystic, Connecticut, a daughter of the late Phillip H. and Alice Mable (Hazard) Cooper. She lived in Worcester and later moved to North Carolina with her husband where she has lived for the past 13 years. JoAnne worked for Guarantee Bank for ten years before she retired in 1989. After retirement she took care of her family and her home. She loved reading and traveling. She also enjoyed going to the casino and the race track. Services for JoAnne will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A period of calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 27th from 9-10 a.m. in the funeral home prior to her service. Flowers are welcome. To share your thoughts and memories of JoAnne, please visit her personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com.