Joanne Frances Eppard Prien

Joanne Frances Eppard Prien passed away at 1:10 am March 22, 2011 after a brave and courageous fight with a vicious stomach cancer for nearly two years.

She was born in Illinois on August 18, 1931. She was one of two daughters born to Clyde and Frances Eppard. After growing up in Illinois, she moved to Ames, Iowa to attend Iowa State University where she received her BS degree in Home Economics and Applied Arts.

Joanne was active in the National Society of Professional Engineers Auxiliary serving as National President in 1982-83. She also was active in the PEO Sisterhood where she was a Member for over fifty years, the Gainesville Garden Club, as well as a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville where she was a member of the "Prime Time Singers," Presbyterian Women, "Wonderful Works" crafts club, and the "Rocks of All Ages" and "The Strugglers Sunday School Class.
Her Hobbies included landscape painting, interior decorating, gardening, sewing, travel and reading. She was gifted in all of these endeavors and even did the "layout" of their retirement home on Lake Lanier. Their travels together have pretty well covered the world, from Alaska to Hawaii to New Zealand and Australia, Europe and the Mediterranean to England, Denmark and Austria.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, John Daniel Prien, Jr. and three children: Deborah Kay Turner and her husband Michael of Kennesaw, Georgia; Deanna Lynn Wolfe and her husband James of Chamblee, Georgia; and John D. Prien, III and his wife, Cindy of Canton, Georgia. The five grandchildren include Emily Turner Kayse and her husband Josh; Madison Claire Prien, Benjamin Daniel Prien, Zachary John Prien and Grayson Alexander Prien. She is also survived by her sister, Sandi Eppard Kagy and her husband David of Springfield, Illinois and their son, Joanne's nephew, Kenneth Kagy of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Following her cremation, she will be laid to rest in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Georgia with a memorial service Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. 800 South Enota Dr. Gainesville, GA 30501. Rev. Paul Evans, Rev. Bill Authur and Rev. Roe Callaway will officiate. A reception will be held in Swetenburg Hall at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers at the Memorial Service, it is suggested that donations be made in Joanne's memory to the Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center or to the Music Department of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, or to a charity of one's own choosing.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.