Joann (Carothers) Gauntt

JoAnn Gauntt, 93, passed away Friday, January 10, 2025. A memorial graveside service will be held at 1:00pm, Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Rochester Cemetery. Rev. Brad Wilkinson will be officiating under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Rochester, Texas.

JoAnn Gauntt was born August 14, 1931 in Rochester, Texas. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1948. She married Troy Gauntt on March 1, 1950. She decided to begin her college education after her children were born. She started in May 1963 and completed her Bachelor's degree in 1967. She drove 120 miles a day and went on to obtain her Master's degree 2 years later. She continued to feel the need for additional preparation and added certifications in library, counseling, special education and Educational Diagnostician. She taught in Aspermont, Munday and in Abilene as an Educational Diagnostician for 28 years. She retired in 2010 but continued to work for the Abilene district part-time.

She was preceded in death by her husband and son.

She is survived by her daughter and son -in-law, Belinda and Jim Hecht of Aspermont; son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Sheila Gauntt of Georgetown; and 7 grandchildren.

The family request that memorials be made in Jo Ann's memory to:

House of Faith

P.O. Box 7653

Abilene, Texas 79608

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.