Obituary of JoAnn B. McDonough

JoAnn Barker McDonough passed away at the age of 91 peacefully at home on Saturday, April 18, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Fred Barker, and her husband, Martin Fleming “Buddy” McDonough, Jr. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Fred Condra Barker and Minnie (White) Barker, JoAnn was a precocious only child who loved school. She attended Chattanooga High School (“City High”) where she met her future husband, Buddy. Graduating in 1945 at the tender age of 16, JoAnn continued her education on scholarship at the University of Chattanooga (now the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), and pledged Alpha Delta Pi sorority where she forged lifelong friendships. When Buddy returned from the war where he served as a Naval pharmacist’s mate in the Pacific theater, he and JoAnn made plans to marry. On December 18, 1946, JoAnn was scheduled to take her last school exam of the semester, but skipped out to meet Buddy at the church instead. After marriage, the couple moved to Birmingham for Buddy to pursue his pharmacy degree at Howard College of Pharmacy (now part of Samford University). They welcomed their son, Steve, while there and finished Buddy’s studies before returning to Chattanooga. Daughter Debbie arrived a few years later, completing their family of four. In addition to raising two children, JoAnn also spent many hours as a young wife supporting Buddy and his pharmaceutical profession by actively participating in the Tennessee Pharmacists Association Auxiliary, serving as president for a time. Furthermore, she volunteered for more than 20 years as a Pink Lady at Erlanger Hospital in downtown Chattanooga and enjoyed serving the community members of our area in this way. During the 1970s, JoAnn returned to college to study accounting and bookkeeping. Armed with this new knowledge and training, she was officially dubbed the “CFO” of Incline Drug & Surgical Company, the family’s drug and medical supply store in the St. Elmo area of Chattanooga. She happily worked alongside the rest of the McDonough clan for many years. Together, JoAnn and Buddy enjoyed family trips, time at the local Pan-O-Ram Club pool and dancing of all sorts, as well as being active members of St. Elmo Church of Christ throughout their marriage. From the moment they met, they were the lights of each other’s lives. Married for 71 beautiful years, they were separated only by Buddy’s death on the same date in 2018. JoAnn will be fondly remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and loyal friend. She is survived by her children, Martin Stephen “Steve” McDonough (Flowerree) and Debbie McDonough Gaff (Michael); her grandchildren, Jennifer McDonough Phillips (Darryl), John McDonough, and Elizabeth Viall Napolitano (Jack); her great granddaughter, Emma Cate Napolitano, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her family would like to thank her long-term caregivers, Hannah Sanders, Ina Smith, Cynthia Smith and Angela Jones for their exceptional care and devotion. JoAnn will be interred at Forest Hills Cemetery with a private family service. A celebration of her life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family asks you to consider a donation in her memory to St. Elmo Church of Christ (4713 St. Elmo Avenue, Chattanooga, 37409), Hospice of Chattanooga (4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, 37416) or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Wann Funeral Home, 4000 Tennessee Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37409. To share memories, photos or condolences please visit www.wannfuneralhome.com.