JoAnn Saxon Tucker “Granny” passed away peacefully with her daughter Vicki by her side after a short but aggressive battle with cancer at Providence Regional Colby Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 in Everett, Wash., at the age of 71.

JoAnn was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Naomi Saxon, husband Ben Tucker and son Rusty Tucker.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Vicki Graham (husband Kyle), of Oak Harbor, Wash., Tony Tucker (wife Tracy), of Thomasville, Ga., Staci Stallings (husband Jerry), of Cairo, Ga., Tommy Joiner, of Bainbridge, Ga., and Genia Croyle, of Robertsdale, Ala.; siblings Iris Saxon Poole, Cheryl Saxon Cook, Dwayne Saxon and Gary Mike Saxon; and a boat load of grandkids and great-grandkids.

JoAnn was born May 22, 1945, in Tifton, Ga., to Joseph and Naomi Saxon. Although she did not complete school, she scored so high on her GED that she was awarded a high school diploma from the state of Florida in 1988. She was a very loving woman and had the husbands to prove it.

Among those lucky men were Ben Tucker and Willie Roy Joiner. She finally settled down with the love of her life, Peaches, her ever faithful and loyal Chihuahua.

She lived life to the fullest through her careers: beautician, retail manager, 911 operator, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer and running registers of all shapes and sizes.

Her hobbies included pouring her soul into everything she cooked (it’s not called soul food for nothing), crocheting (if you’re ever in need of a hat or blanket, she made like a million), tending to her garden (her green thumb was like no other — even her Farmville flourished), watching NASCAR religiously (her love for Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. were only rivaled by her hatred for Kyle Bush), enjoying a fresh hot cup of coffee (well, freshly reheated 10 times because who knows where that cup disappears to), being impersonated by Paula Deen (practically her twin), and child slave driving (if you wanted a pecan pie or a pillow, by God, you were gonna go pick the pecans/cotton).

As father time weighed down upon her, she retired her adventurous lifestyle to living vicariously through chatting with friends, photos and stories of family travels and experienced youth through her grandkids and great-grandkids.

She was an amazing woman with a stellar personality.

Everything she touched came to life; with just a smile she could light up a room. She was never afraid to speak her mind or let the truth be known; she was a true spitfire.

She loved her family and her country more than anything and took great pride in her son-in-law CWO4 Kyle Graham’s service in the U.S. Navy.

No amount of words could ever describe how much this crazy, wonderful, terror of a woman will be missed; you left a hole in our heart that no one can fill.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, at the Home of Kyle and Vicki Graham, 1759 Fawn Drop Road, Oak Harbor, Wash.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Oak Harbor branch of the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com