JoAnn LeBlanc Lester, age 80, of Bainbridge, Georgia, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in her residence, with family at her side.
Originally from Picayune, Miss., she relocated to South Florida in 1975 and then, to Georgia in 2007.  JoAnn graduated valedictorian and class president.
She was employed over 30 years in telecommunications.  A natural artist, she enjoyed many years of sewing, crafts, and homemaking.
Mrs. Lester was preceded in death by her mother, Annie Koch, her son, Jimmy Gomez, and her husband of 38 years, Charles Lester.
JoAnn Lester is survived by her daughters, Cathy Gomez of Slidell, La., Patsy Gomez and Samantha Sparkman of Margate, Fla., Becky Naylor and husband, Brian of Crestview, Fla., Tessy Gomez-Gardner and husband, John of Slidell, Lorry Charbonnet and husband, Roy of Lacombe, La., and Lisa Lester Shreves and husband, Ron of Bainbridge, Ga.; Nine grandchildren, James Cazenave, Michael Eckenrode, Alex Lester-Cromwell, Spencer and Sara Shreves, Casey and Hannah Naylor, and Cameron and Dylan Charbonnet; and four great-grandchildren, Austin, Lorna, Konnor, and Jaydn.
Cox Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.