JoAnn Marie Freeman

JoAnn Marie Freeman passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Odessa, Texas. The Celebration Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at American Heritage Funeral Home in Midland, Texas. JoAnn Marie Freeman was born February 6, 1962, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Robert and Elinor Ackley. She attended public school in Elmwood, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska as a Certified Registered Nurse. JoAnn relocated to Odessa, Texas, in the mid-’80s, where she built her life and had a 30+ year career as an RN, most of which was served at Medical Center Hospital, where she gained so many lifelong friends. She was passionate about medicine, always wanting to learn more through continued education and accepting new challenges through different specialties. She loved her patients, and the care she gave was unmatched - she called it “old school nursing” - co-workers leaned on her to help find solutions to complex patients; she was an intelligent and wonderful teacher, with endless stories and memories from patients and fellow nurses always saying “they don’t make nurses like JoAnn anymore.” She respected her profession and loved her work; simply put, being a caregiver and nurse defined her to her core. She always said her greatest accomplishment and shining joy was her daughter and only child, Jodi. They were a dynamic duo; most of Jodi’s life was just “mom and me.” Words can't describe the bond JoAnn and Jodi shared. Her world was Jodi, and her conversations showed just how proud of a mother she was. Every person she spoke to walked away knowing their love. In 2016, Jodi gained a bonus daughter, and JoAnn’s name became Gramma JoJo! She loved being a Gramma to Isla; it was a dream come true. They spent their time singing, dancing, and just being silly. Gramma JoJo was a name she wore well. Jodi and Isla did have to make room for two more loves of JoAnn’s life, her cats, Cooper and Isabelle. She spoiled them and loved them like her children with scratches and fat tummies full of treats. Never underestimate a Mom, Gramma, and Cat Mom’s love! JoAnn’s daughter, Jodi, said her mom was beautiful, compassionate, witty, and loved to have fun. She was smart, quick with comebacks, a bit stubborn, but always driven. She lived for laughter, unafraid to be 100% herself. Her light heart and bright smile gave her a natural ability to make others feel comfortable. Whomever she touched, they were forever changed. JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elinor Ackley, and brother Bill Ackley. She is survived by her daughter, Jodi Freeman, and boyfriend Zach Wolfe of Midland, TX, brothers Tim Ackley and wife Liz Ackley, Roger Ackley and girlfriend Elizabeth Stebbins both of Lincoln, NE, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved very much. JoAnn was Gramma Jojo to Isla Wolfe.

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JoAnn Marie Freeman

February 6, 1962 - May 7, 2023