Voskamp

COLUMBUS—Joe Ann (Thomas) Voskamp went to be with the Lord on Aug. 11, 2018.

She was born on Sept. 20, 1923, to W.M. Thomas Sr. and Della Mae Wickham in Temple. Her parents raised her and her younger brother, W.M. Thomas Jr., in Lissie and Eagle Lake.

She attended Baylor University and earned a degree in chemistry.

Joe Ann met Earl L. Voskamp at a dance and they were married in Eagle Lake in 1943. Earl served as a pilot in World War II and Joe Ann proudly followed him across America during Earl’s training. World War II had a profound impact on her and she could vividly recall the war and waiting for Earl to return home from the Pacific.

Earl and Joe Ann’s three children were all born in Port Arthur, Texas. In 1952, they moved to Rockdale.

Joe Ann was a lifelong teacher and touched the lives of kids in Eagle Lake, Rockdale, Irving, Fairfield, Mesquite and Lago Vista. After she retired from teaching she continued to serve as a volunteer for many years at Seton Hospital in Austin.

In 1978 when her husband Earl passed away, she moved full time to her house on the hill overlooking Lake Travis in Jonestown. She loved to golf, swim and boat on the lake.

Joe Ann possessed a strong faith in our Lord and Savior and was always involved in church activities at Rolling Hills Community Church.

In 2005 she moved to Manor Park in Midland.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Voskamp, as well as her brother, W.M. Thomas Jr., and her oldest son, Wayne E. Voskamp.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Mobley and husband Roy of Austin, son Thomas A. Voskamp and wife Susan of Midland and daughter-in-law Charlene Voskamp of Brenham. Joe Ann and Earl had an honorary son, Art Perry of San Diego, California. Art was a classmate of Wayne and has remained a much loved brother and son.

Joe Ann was also a grandmother to seven grandchildren: Adam Voskamp and wife Jan-nine of Houston, Sarah Reeder and husband Marty of Hunstville, Mary Luce and husband Ashley of Fort Garland, Colorado, Tyler Mobley of Grapevine, Carson Mobley of Austin, Christy Canada and husband Daniel of Plains and Travis Voskamp and wife Megan of Pocatello, Idaho. She also had 11 great-grandchildren.

Joe Ann will be buried next to Earl in Columbus. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery.