JOANN SHOTWELL

Joann Delores Cox Shotwell was born on April 4, 1944, in the Haughville U.S.A., of Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late William Cox and Gladys Serena Johnson Cox Paschal.

She attended Indianapolis Public School #75,and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School.

At an early age, Joann accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. C. J. Dailey. Her faith remained the foundation of her life, and she faithfully served God throughout the years.

Joann dedicated many years to caring for others through her work in the medical field as a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA). She was employed at Central State Hospital, Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, and St. Paul Home for the Aged. Her love for children led her to work in childcare at Head Start Early   Childhood Education, Shepherd’s Little Lamb and the Fort Ben YMCA Before and After School Care. She later served as a bus monitor for Lawrence Township Schools, where she faithfully worked for five years before retiring.

A devoted servant of the Lord, Joann faithfully served in several churches throughout her lifetime. At First Free Will Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop. Earl C. Nowlen, Sr., she served as supervisor of the Young Adult Choir.  Later, at True Vine, she was a dedicated choir member and faithfully served on the Culinary Committee. For the last 22 years, she was a faithful member of Olivet Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Wayne L. Moore, where she worshiped until her health no longer allowed.

On October 15, 1966, Joann married the love of her life, the late Carl O. Shotwell. Together they built a loving family and were blessed with three children: Gary W. Shotwell, Carla R. Shotwell, and Corey Shotwell.

Joann had a heart for family and found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved cooking and was well known for preparing meals that brought everyone together. Even during her illness, she still wanted to cook herself a pot of greens. You are sure to see those greens at the Johnson Reunion where she was a dedicated committee member. She also loved traveling and often boarded a plane to visit her brothers in California and her sister in Texas. In her later years, she became a devoted Indianapolis Colts fan. Sunday afternoons after church often found her dressed in Colts gear, cheering on her favorite team while talking on the phone with her beloved cousin, JoAnn.

Joann was preceded in death by her husband, Carl O. Shotwell; her parents, William Cox and Gladys Paschal; her beloved daughter, Carla R. Shotwell; her brothers, William “Billy” Cox, Dennis Cox, Anthony Cox, Ballard Cox, and Richard Bollen; her sisters, Yvonne Tyson and Angela Bollen, and her stepbrother, Paul Bollen.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving sons, Gary W. Shotwell and Corey Shotwell; her aunts, Mildred Strong and Ruth Riley; her sisters, Linda Cox-Hogan (Brian) and Cherry Malichi (Anthony); her brother, William “Peanut” Cox; her sisters-in-law, Marie Rowley, Ruth Thomas, and Penelope Cox; her brother-in-law, James Tyson; her stepsister, Debra Douglas, and a host of cherished nieces and nephews, many cousins, other extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives were touched by her love, kindness, and unwavering faith.

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