Joanna Deon Hammer

Joanna Deon (Nelson) Hammer died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Lakeview, Ark. She was 65 years old.

Burial services will be private.

She was born on May 5, 1954, to Duane and Betty Nelson in Lake Charles, La. Following her years of high school and college education, she proudly served in the United States Navy where she met her 'forever' husband, Brian David Hammer. They were married in Portsmouth, Va., on April 15, 1981. Their beloved daughter, Rachael Deon, was born in 1982. Followed their years of service, Brian and Jo moved to Baudette, Minn., to a house on Lake of the Woods where they lived, worked and fished for 23 years. Joanna worked as a pharmaceutical quality control specialist for Solvay Pharmaceuticals. In 2007, Jo and Brian made their way to Acworth, Ga., where they happily escaped the long Minnesota winters to experience life in the city for almost 10 years. In the end, they missed their "small town" life. In 2016, they made a new home in Lakeview where they could once again enjoy life in a smaller community by the lake.

"Aunt Jo" will be remembered for her caring personality, her love of baking and gardening, and her favorite flavor of all – Diet Dr. Pepper! She was an avid flower gardener, and treasured the many hummingbirds that were attracted to her yard. She insisted that flowers should not be cut and brought indoors "only to die," but rather should be enjoyed in their natural environment. Aunt Jo loved us fiercely and fed us well! She took great pleasure in cooking for one or a crowd. Her recipes for cookies and jellies were much sought after delights and her northern Minnesota fish fry and onion ring batters were unequaled.

She was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by her daughter, Rachael Deon Hammer and her partner, Jarid Ison, of Hiram, Ga.; her beloved animals, Snickers, Breezy, Bella and Cinder; mother Betty Nelson, of Harlowtown, Mont.; one brother, Scott Nelson and nephew Steele, of Helena, Mont.; two sisters, Sally (Ed) Stein, of Glasgow, Mont., and Patty Nelson (Todd Hasbrook), of Harlowton; one sister-in-law, Sue (John) Larson, of West Lafayette, Ind.; three nieces, Deon (Cody) Dix, Jennifer (Storm) Jackson, and Anna (Kevin) Nolan; nephew Olaf (Kate) Larson; along with two great-nieces, Ashlyn and Olivia and two great-nephews, Buddy and Kevin John.

Memorials may be sent in honor of Jo (and Brian) to Friends to the Forlorn Animal Rescue, PO Box 2316, Dallas, GA, 30132. Jo and Brian were passionate about helping animals and never turned away an animal in need. They adopted their dog, Breezy, from Friends to the Forlorn Animal Shelter.