JoAnne Lemon

Joanne Rae Sanders Lemon passed away at home on January 5th, 2014. Joanne was born in Riverside, California on August 26th, 1929 to Edward R. Sanders and Ruby H. Benson Sanders. When she was 9 months of age, the family moved to Southern Arizona where Joanne was raised in the Chiricahua Mountains and the Sulfur Springs Valley. She married Keith E. Lemon on October 9th, 1946 at her parents home on Frontier Road. They made their home in Bisbee until 1975 when the mines closed and Keith was transferred to Safford. While in Bisbee they brought 4 children in to the world, Lloyd E., Karen A., Katherine M. and Deanna R.. Joanne worked a number of years for Doctors Alford and Chuck Tuell in Bisbee and for Doctor Lynn Skinner in Safford. One of Joannes favorite pastimes was playing the slot machines, but her most favorite place in the world was to be fishing at San Carlos Lake. She said she always felt at peace when she was there. Joanne is survived by her son Lloyd Ed (Nancy), her daughters Karen (Ron) Shields, Kathy (Dave) Crum and Deanna (Dan) Russell, 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister-in-laws Peggy Sanders, Ann Sanders, Linda Sanders, Brothers-in-law George Nelson, Marvin Lemon and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Joanne is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Keith, her parents, brothers William, Russell, Raymond and her sister Evelyn. Although she will be dearly missed by family and friends, she is now waltzing across heaven with pop. A Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11th, 2014 at the Safford Cemetery, with Dr. Phil Tutor officiating.