Joanne Carter Broome, 86, of Gainesville and formerly of Palatka, passed from this life on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at UF Health – Shands in Gainesville. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Joanne had resided in Gainesville for the past eight years moving there from Palatka where she had resided since 1985. Joanne’s passion was educating others. Upon graduating from Catawba College, she started her teaching career in Charlotte where she not only taught English and History but wrote and directed several school plays. She also taught in Tampa and Jacksonville prior to moving to Palatka. In Palatka, she was a schoolteacher with the Putnam County School District and for several years before retiring she served as a staffing specialist. In this last role, she enjoyed traveling to various schools and meeting with teachers, parents and students to discuss furthering education. Her goal was to make learning fun and she did this by teaching grammar through singing. Students would return years later thanking her for teaching them in a way they could learn and succeed. Joanne loved sports, particularly cheering on the North Carolina Tar Heels and Florida Gators. She had also been involved in the community through her membership at St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka, the Pilot Club, the Woman’s Club of Palatka, Toastmasters, ADK (Alpha Delta Kappa) and the Counsel for Exceptional Children.
Her pride and joy were her granddaughters. She was so thankful to be near them and have many visits during their college years at the University of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace (Duck) O. Broome, a daughter, Susan Siau as well as her parents, Luther Carter and Mary Frances Helms Carter.
Joanne is survived by a daughter, Tracey Coakes and husband David of Sarasota and two grandchildren, Courtney Coakes and Cameron Coakes.
Graveside services will be at 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell with Pastor John Schafer officiating. No visitation is scheduled.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Joanne’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.