September 2, 1927 — August 30, 2025
Joan was born to William Bryan and Emma Sperry Loveridge on September 2, 1927. She lived in Moab until her 90th birthday when she moved to Surprise, Arizona, to the Happy Trails RV Resort to be close to her youngest daughters: Jimmylynn and husband Ben Blades, and Jody and her husband Shawn Ellis.
Joan graduated Grand County High School in 1946 and worked several places in Moab. She married Jim Jackson in December 1946 and they were married for 18 years before divorcing. They had seven living children and one stillborn baby: Sharon Nelson, Carol Urquhart (Ian), Janet (stillborn), Cindy Corbin (Jack), Jimmylynn Blades (Ben), John Jackson (Sherry), Jody Ellis (Shawn) and Bill Jackson (Tammy). She is preceded in death by both parents—her mother died while she was still in high school; by two brothers, JT Loveridge and William (Bill) Loveridge; three sisters, Renae Polly, Helen McDougall and Gayle Tangren; one grandchild, Ronnie W. Marshall; and three great-grandchildren, Tre Keith Harrod, Chloe Nicole Sims and Luke Ellis.
She is survived by seven children, 21 grandchildren (2 of which are Canadians), 39 great-grandchildren (3 of which are Canadians) and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
Joan was a homemaker when her children were young, working part-time when needed. While raising seven kids, she started a job at City Market and spent 32 years there, the majority of it in the bakery as a cake decorator and baker, and sometimes in the video and flower departments. She also worked in retail for awhile on Moab’s Main Street. After retirement, she was able to travel: trains, planes, automobiles and cruise ships! Going on many cruises and visiting a lot of places around the country— a lot of times she traveled with a group of family and friends, and she loved visiting her children who didn’t live in Moab.
Joan was always creative and did a lot of ceramics and painting. She loved to read and could take a catnap at any time! The library at Happy Trails was one of her favorite places. She was always cheerful, friendly and helpful. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Moab for many years, and volunteered in various ways.
Joan spent many years at the Senior Center for lunch and cards. She volunteered there also, starting an exercise class that was a staple at the center for many years. She was busy at the Senior Center four days a week and she often called it her job! She would say that Thursdays were her day off, because the Senior Center didn’t serve on Thursdays. She was a recipient of the Silver Bowl Award from then-Governor Herbert in 2009 for her volunteer efforts.
After her move to Surprise, she kept just as busy, making new friends, playing cards with several different groups, joining a few different crafting and art classes. She was a member of a singles group that got together for outings, potlucks and various events, concerts and shows. She made numerous friends and spent countless hours playing cards and games, enjoying entertainment events, always with a smile and her infectious laugh!
Joan spent a lot of time with her daughters and their husbands, Jimmylynn and Ben and Jody and Shawn. They took great care of her, made sure she had everything she needed and she was having a great time! There is a saying: You only live once, but if you do it right….once is enough! Our Mom was a shining example of what that saying is all about! She enjoyed being around people. She had a great sense of humor, a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh and she loved an audience! She has been an inspiration to her large family and to everyone that knew her.
As she got older and was still able to live on her own and maintain good health, she decided that she would donate her body to medical research in hopes that it may help others. So she gave one last amazing gift as she went to be with her Lord and Savior for eternity. Her ashes will be interred in Moab when they are received by the family.
Our Mom contributed to many charities throughout her life, and in honor of that we, her family, ask that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to your favorite charity. Thank you.
A celebration of Life for Mom will be on September 21 at 2 p.m. at the Grand Center (182 N. 500 W., Moab).
You may send condolences to the family at SpanishValleyMortuary.com or SVMC.US
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