Joanna was born on July 8, 1927, in Charleston, Illinois to Noel and Kathryn (Briscoe) Byrd. She graduated from Charleston High School in 1945, then moved to Indianapolis to study art.
Upon returning to Charleston, she met the love of her life, Vernon Ingrum. They married on April 24, 1947, celebrating 67 years together in 2014, the year Vern passed.
Joanna’s main passion in life was her family. She loved being a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and, of course, dog mom. She was also passionate about University of Illinois football and basketball, as well as the St. Louis Cardinals -- win or lose.
She carried her love of art throughout her life, doing needlepoint, crafting wreaths, and baking (particularly Waldorf Astoria red velvet cake from scratch and the best cherry pe in the world). She was also an avid reader throughout her life, even learning how to navigate a Kindle the past few years. She was a regular at the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library and kept the library staff busy with her ongoing list of book requests. Spirituality was very important to her and she was a regular attendee at Number 10 Church of Christ in Potomac, Illinois.
Joanna is survived by her children; Joy (Ralph) McClaugherty, of St. Joseph, grandson Noah McClaugherty, son Jim (Sharon) Ingrum, granddaughter Hannah (Ross) Johnson, grandson Layne (Kate) Ingrum, daughter Jill Ingrum of St. Joseph, two great-grandchildren Isla Johnson , Blair Ingrum, and her dog Dani.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Bill Byrd and Bob Byrd, one sister Dessa Reed.
Her family would like to give heartfelt thanks to her doctors, nurses, and staff at OSF Heart of Mary Emergency Department for their exceptional care and comfort, to Dr. Alina Paul for her years of loving and attentive care, and to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the OSF Cancer Center, Danville, and the Christie Clinic Cancer Center for their support and kindness during her cancer treatments. The family would also like to thank Shannon and the Southern Charm Day Spa and Salon, St. Joseph, for ensuring that, no matter what else, Joanna’s hair always looked good.
Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library or the CU Feed the Need food pantry, St. Joseph, Illinois.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Joanna at a later date.
Freese FH 11/25/2023
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