JoAnne grew up in Hurt, Virginia, and graduated from Greta High School in 1966.   She received a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in biology and earth science from Radford University in 1970.  Five years later, Radford University awarded her a master’s degree in science education.

With these credentials, JoAnne pursued a career as a science/biology teacher, eventually working at four different educational institutions in Virginia.  First, beginning in 1970, she taught physical science, earth science and biology at Floyd County High School.   Her next job was at Radford High School, where she narrowed her teaching to two areas: earth science and biology.  In 1988, she moved to Lynchburg and for 18 years taught science courses at Linkhorne Middle School followed by holding the position of instructor for an introductory biology laboratory at Randolph College.  She retired in 2012.   JoAnne has a sister, Jennifer, and foster daughter, Anne Hall, both living in Lynchburg.

Along with JoAnne’s fondness for science, she is an avid bird watcher and has visited all of the world’s continents, except one--Antarctica.  Needless to say, her list of sighted birds is extensive; JoAnne gives it at hundreds and hundreds and hundreds.  In all of her travels, she mentions Australia as a favorite, not only for its unusual and fascinating birds, such as the bowerbird and fairy-wren, but for all of its vast wildlife. Other hobbies for JoAnne include reading, primarily fiction; walking; pen and ink drawing; and watercolor painting.

When you see JoAnne be sure to give her a warm WC welcome and ask how she arrived at the name Zephyr for the mixed-breed dog who has also made the move to WC.