JoAnn Kramer

On August 19, 1939, Virginia JoAnn Plumb, the first of four children of Mark Charlie and Frances Leo (Hargis) Plumb, entered this world in the front bedroom of her parents’ farmhouse north of Everton, Missouri. She left to rejoin her parents and siblings at the feet of Our Lord and Savior on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the age of 84 1/2 years.

Her elementary education at Pennsboro, Meek, Everton and Greenfield schools led to her graduation from Greenfield High School in 1957, where she participated in band, drum and bugle corps, FHA and pep club/cheerleader.  Following graduation, she attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield.

On December 27, 1959, JoAnn married the boy next door, her high school sweetheart, James Rodney Kramer. Their vows lasted 64 years, one and 1/2 months, until her departure for her heavenly home.

JoAnn was a stay-at-home mother where she read to and nurtured her three children until her youngest entered elementary school.  She then began 33 years in the workplace, beginning with the American Angus Association in St Joseph, Missouri. Her family’s move to Miami, Oklahoma, in 1972 saw her entrance into the world of banking with the First National Bank and Trust of Miami. This was interrupted by five years in the real estate business. Then she returned to First National, retiring in 2004.

JoAnn loved her family with all her heart.  She was proud of their willingness to leave the nest for distant locations, at the same time missing them greatly. She loved decorating her home of 52 years and tending to her patio during the summer months. She enjoyed travel to new places and seldom stayed home when her husband and best friend went to town.

An exceptional coach’s wife, JoAnn developed a love of sport during her cheerleader days.  This was evidenced by her devotion to the Lady Sooners softball team, all of the Norse teams at NEO in Miami and the college’s campus life, and not least, #15 and #87 and the rest of that new dynasty in Kansas City.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, Rod; son Kirk Jeffrey and wife, Kathy of Cottage City, Maryland; daughters Kelly Lyn of Springfield, Missouri, and Kristen Renee of Edina, Minnesota; and by her aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, a host of work colleagues and many dear friends.

In view of her love of reading, handed on to her children at an early age, contributions may be made to the Miami Public Library, https://miamipl.okpls.org or the Dade County Library of Greenfield, Missouri. https://www.dadecolib.org/

The family wish to express heartfelt gratitude to the staffs of Integris Medical Center in Miami, Tulsa Hillcrest Neurological Center, Joplin Freeman East Rehabilitation Center, Joplin Mercy Hospital, the Windridge Nursing Facility and all those who called and sent notes of encouragement in the days before that reunion with her heavenly family and her Lord and Savior. May the Lord bless you all!

Services for JoAnn were Monday, February 19, 2024 at First Christian Church in Miami with Minister Leon Weece officiating.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, there was a visitation at the Greenfield Funeral Chapel in Greenfield, Missouri. Following the visitation there was a graveside service at the Greenfield Cemetery with Minister Leon Weece officiating.

Services have been placed in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami, Oklahoma.

Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Kramer’s tribute page at www.brown-winters.com