Deborah L. Joannes

Deborah L. (Debbie) Joannes, 64, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Friday, June 1, 2018, at Saint Luke's Hospice House after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born July 23, 1953, in Columbia, Mo., she is the daughter of Lorine and Donald Joannes. Debbie was a 1971 graduate of Blair Oaks High School in Wardsville, Mo. She moved to southern California in 1974. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of La Verne. In 1999, she returned to Missouri where she worked with children with disabilities as a teacher's aide in the Park Hill School District and has been employed at Citicorp Credit Services for the last 14 years. Traveling and exploring new places was always Debbie's greatest passion. She set foot in almost every state in the United States. She was a world traveler. She spent six months traveling through Europe. She spent three months touring the South Pacific. There were many other trips to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Her travels took her to almost every part of the globe. When she wasn't planning her next trip, Debbie enjoyed reading, watching movies and sports, throwing darts, swimming, playing racquetball, reflecting on spiritual inspiration, volunteering at the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter and most importantly, spending time with her nieces and nephews. Debbie is survived by her brother, Mike (wife Cheryl); brother, Steve (wife Sandy); sister, Mary (husband Doug); sister, Becky (husband Randy); sister, Elaine; five nieces; eight nephews; eight great-nieces; and five great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Cindy; sister, Barb and brother-in-law Jerry (JB). A celebration of life for Deborah Joannes will be held Saturday, June 9, at 1 p.m. in the Olde Mill Emporium which is located at 168 S. Main Street in Parkville, Mo. For her Jefferson City area family and friends, a gathering in her honor will be held at the Taos Knights of Columbus, on Sunday, June 10, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter. Local arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com