Joanna Mary (Johnson) Hays, 84, of Columbia, Missouri, formerly of Kirksville, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2024 at South Hampton Place in Columbia.

Born March 18, 1940 in Kirksville, Missouri, Joanna was the only child of the late George and Helen Johnson. In 1959 Joanna was united in marriage to Larry Hays who preceded her in death in 1977.

Joanna is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and Mike Conyers of Columbia, MO; one son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Jolene Hays of Lake of the Ozarks; one nephew, David Gardner of Columbia, MO; three grandchildren, Justin (Jessi) Conyers, Josh (Katie) Conyers, and Sunny (Chad) Sigman; as well as five great-grandchildren, Kenley, Kason, Chole, Hadley, and Hudson.

Joanna was a graduate of Kirksville High School with the Class of 1958 and attended Kirksville State Teacher's College. During high school, Joanna was a baton twirler, band leader, and drum majorette, having twirled on Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. Also while in high school Joanna owned her own dance studio and taught tap, jazz and baton. When she began her work career, Joanna was a teacher's aid for Mrs. Ray's kindergarten class. She later worked as a bank teller at Bank of Kirksville, at a bank in Kansas City, and at the Commerce Bank in Columbia, Missouri. Joanna was last employed with the State of Missouri Child Enforcement working with children, which she loved until retiring.

While residing in Kirksville, Joanna was a member of First Baptist Church and while in Columbia she was a member of Parkade Baptist Church.

It was Joanna's wish to be cremated and her family will receive friends on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Life following at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Pastor Virgil Jones will officiate the service and inurnment will follow at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Memorial donations in memory of Joanna may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.