JoAnn (Gibson) Smythe was born in 1933 in Arkansas to Thelma and George Gibson. When JoAnn was just a few months old, she and older siblings Maxine, Robert and Nadine rode to California on a train with their mother to join George, who had found work in the lumber mills in Northern California. JoAnn's entire childhood was spent in the small town of Westwood located in Lassen County and her childhood sounded idyllic - a small town, nestled in the beauty of the alpine Mt. Lassen terrain.

JoAnn first met Richard Smythe in the 3rd grade when Richard called her "stork legs". Name-calling eventually led to high school dating and they were married at 18 years old in 1951. JoAnn and Richard eventually settled in Ukiah, CA where children Bill and Julie were born.

JoAnn worked at various office jobs ranging from escrow officer to accounts payable clerk and she was clearly a highly valued employee. Every time the family moved for the sake of Richard's career, JoAnn had no trouble finding work in the new town.

JoAnn's main focus in life was family. She also enjoyed a good mystery romance novel, an afternoon nap, a great home cooked meal and the occasional glass of white wine. Son Bill and his wife Yolanda, who opened their home to JoAnn and her caregivers in JoAnn's final months, and daughter Julie and her husband Tom Carrico survive JoAnn. Grandchildren Chris, Matt, Michael, Savannah and Makenna, great grandchildren Spencer and Carter, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive JoAnn.

JoAnn will be interred in Susanville, CA. No services are planned but the family would enjoy reading your comments left at this site.