JoAnn Miller

JoAnn Chatham Miller lovingly known as “Big Mama” passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 surrounded by family. Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11 a.m. at First Progressive Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Griffin Mortuary from 4 pm to 6 pm. She was born to Jesse and Leola Chatham on September 12, 1939, in Leon County, TX. She thoroughly enjoyed being the matriarch of the family and led with a firm level of love.

JoAnn received her Associates degree from South Plains College in child development in 1980 and worked as a Head Start Director for many years.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers Raymond, Jimmy, and William Chatham, sisters Mary Alice Davis and Francis Marie Chatham, granddaughter Shermonna Williams

JoAnn is survived by her four children, Vecelia Mann (Daron), Vernea Johnson, Velisha Mitchell, and Victor Hatchett. She loved her nine grandchildren Shika Reed, Shasity Johnson, Shonnea Williams, DJ Mann (Alison), Cecely Mann, Shardee Johnson, Derrell Mitchell, Jr., Rhakeem Hatchett, and Tori Hatchett. She was proud to tell everyone that she had 13 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with her friend of 50 years, Alma Raven. She is also survived by her nieces Sandra Chatham and Martha Morriel, her nephew Bishop Leonard Chatham (Sharon). She will be remembered by a host of friends and family, who all experienced her love and laughter.