Joan Billings Wagoner

Boonville - Joan Billings Wagoner, 90, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 29. Joan was born June 17, 1934 in Surry County to the late Zeno and Myrtle Vestal Billings. Beyond any doubt, Joan Wagoner loved her family. Whether a brother or sister, “the kids of her own, the grand, or the great” she had time for all. Her smiles were easily recognized at home, in the community, at the church, and also at Boonville Elementary School as she served countless students over the years while working in the lunchroom. Family members, and members of Shady Grove Baptist Church, can and will attest, that she certainly could prepare some fine meals. Of course, when you have seven children, “practice makes perfect”. It was also her tradition that if any Pastor was called to serve at Shady Grove, then the very first “Sunday dinner” would be served at her table.

She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil Wagoner, her sister Jeanette Yarborough (brother-in-law Frank), her sister-in-law Kate Billings, her brother Kelly (sister-in-law Lib) Billings, three son-in-laws Braxton Crouse, Joey Calloway, and Kevin Brown, and also her granddaughter, Kimberly Calloway.

Survivors include her daughters, Gail (Jerry) Waddell, Betty Jo Crouse, Debbie (Randy) Porterfield, Elaine Calloway, Kathy (Jeff) Putman, Lisa (David) Casstevens, and her son, Tommy Wagoner along with grandchildren, Amber Tucker, Autumn Ormsby, Angie Shore, Greg Crouse, Brian Porterfield, Dustin Calloway, David Putman, Savannah Lynch, Matthew Brown, and Zack Brown. In addition, she is survived by eighteen (18) great grandchildren and her three brothers David Billings, Jim (Carol) Billings, and Dickie (Kathy) Billings.

The funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Shady Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Chris Benfield. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Shady Grove Baptist Church.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Mountain Valley Hospice, to our church family, to our neighbors and friends, for the meals, every act of kindness, and your prayers. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 243 N. Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC 27055 or to the Gideons International, 2400 Crownpoint Executive Drive, Suite 500, Charlotte, NC 28227.

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Wagoner family. Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.ocm.