Joe-Ann Roberts Martin

Joe-Ann Cowart Martin, a cherished resident of Mt. Vernon, TX, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the age of 77. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Geraldine and Joseph E. Roberts Sr., Joe-Ann was raised in Coconut Grove on the Island of Oahu, HI. There she attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School and the University of Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Joseph E. Roberts Jr.

Joe-Ann's life was one of immense love, dedication, and service. She and her husband Michael LeRoy Cowart together had four children: LeeAnn Cowart Sears, Michael L. Cowart, James B. Cowart, and Christine Cowart Sinclair. Despite the passing of Michael, Joe-Ann's love & support for her family remained steadfast and unwavering all the days of her life.

In addition to her roles as a wife and mother, Joe-Ann worked in various positions in Irving and downtown Dallas before finding her niche at the Dallas County Tax Office, where she served faithfully until she retired after 22 years and moved to Mt. Vernon, TX, in 2012.

Joe-Ann was an avid reader and a woman of many passions. She poured her creativity into sewing her children's clothes and school uniforms, crafting beautiful ceramics, and crocheting with skillful hands. She prepared many meals over many years for those she held dear. Joe-Ann's love for beautifully landscaped environments, instilled in her during her years in Hawaii, was evident in her homes in Texas, where she often won Yard of the Month awards for her meticulously tended flowerbeds and lawn. Despite her busy schedule she was never too busy for a cup of coffee and a conversation with a friend. She would most likely have a child in tow, but she would be there to talk over whatever concern a friend or one of her children needed to discuss.

Faith was at the center of Joe-Ann's life. As a child, she attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Oahu. Then, St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Irving, and later, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon, TX. She shared her love for Christ with her children, leaving a lasting legacy of faith that will be cherished for generations to come.

Joe-Ann's greatest joy came from her family. She was the biggest cheerleader for her children including their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, supporting them in all their endeavors and celebrating their achievements with pride. Lovingly known as Grammy, she adored all her grandchildren, talked of them often and always had pictures to show everyone.

A celebration of Joe-Ann's life will be held at the Aguilar Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, TX, on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., where friends and family will gather to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church (406 TX-37, Mt Vernon, TX 75457) or the Franklin County Library (100 Main Street, Mount Vernon, TX 75457), reflecting Joe-Ann's spirit of generosity and compassion.

Though she may be gone from this world, Joe-Ann's legacy of love, faith, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved family in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

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