Joan Tyler, 83, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, VA.
She was the daughter of Leamon and Mattie Saylor.
Joan was a monumental figure in many people’s lives, a fiercely independent person, with a loving spirit and giving heart, who lived her life as a strong and confident woman.
She is survived by her sons Daniel Soren (Ally) and William M. Krzewick, III (Samantha); daughters, Deborah Krzewick and Beverley Durham; grandchildren, Kodi and Kemma Soren, William, Alexis and Isabella Krzewick, Kathryn Rosenblum (Richard), Nicole and Savanna Durham, Kasey Durham-Richardson (Eric); great grandchildren, Ava and Mae Rosenblum, Sagelynn and Emir Durham-Richardson; brother, Luther Saylor (Ann); sisters, Janie Clifton (Dave) and Lesa Saylor; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Joan was deeply saddened by the recent loss of her sister Judy Collier (Joe).
Joan began her life in a one room home on a farmstead in Arab, Alabama. She began her academic career in a one room schoolhouse, where she first demonstrated her prowess for personal initiative and service to her family and community. As a first-grade girl, Joan wrote a letter to her county school board requesting the first set of encyclopedias and other books for her school. As Joan tells the story, there were photographs and a write-up in the local paper of the delivery, as it was a celebration for the entire community.
Joan was raised by her grandfather, Luther A. Saylor, to know that she can do anything and be anything she may ever wish to do or be. In this, he empowered her and instilled in her a confidence and a deep-rooted belief in herself. She was a favorite of her Daddy and Grandfather who both doted love on her that inspired her to go out and take on the world and make her mark.
As a testament to her intellect and drive, she was able to graduate high school at 16 years old, and immediately enter college at the University of Alabama. There, she continued her love and passion for the Crimson Tide and home state hero Bear Bryant. Joan even continued her love of football, following Joe Namath into the NFL and remaining a loyal Washington DC football fan.
Joan loved her music. She saw many live performances, everything from Andres Segovia at the Kennedy Center to family concert performances around her hometown. She was a member of the Arab High School Majorettes and was instrumental in her school participating in the parade and events to see Elvis Presley play and sing at his famous performance at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show when she was 16. If you look closely at photos of the event she is there in the crowd. She was steeped in bluegrass and American roots music; she saw Ralph Stanley perform on the Down from the Mountain tour at the DAR Constitution Hall, and was even invited on Ralph’s tour bus after the show for conversation and autographs; she saw Doc Watson perform an intimate set of his distinctive style and voice at the Birchmere shortly before his passing. She enjoyed all things music, from rock and roll to classical — and, if the feeling was right, you could get her to sing her favorites at the piano or with the acoustic guitar.
Following college, Joan started a family and moved to the Washington, DC area. She lived most of her life in Maryland, outside Washington DC, working for the federal government. Her work for the National Institute for Standards and Technology was instrumental in establishing standards for computer science. Joan was on the cusp of technology from the beginning of her career, including programming for punch cards as a pioneer in software engineering. Later, she was a part of the establishment of the Malcom Baldrige award for best in class in American business – a part of Joan’s career focused on the adoption of quality control frameworks in the federal government and business. Her final work for the Department of the Interior brought internet and technology to Native American reservations, implementing standards for cyber security and internet protocols, paving the way for the modern IT infrastructure for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Joan loved to travel. She traveled across North America, Central and South America, and Europe during her lifetime, for work and for pleasure. Her favorite places were Mesa Verde (where she connected with her Native American spirituality), Cinnamon Bay Beach in the US Virgin Islands, and Spain.
She was an enthusiastic tennis player and amassed many championship trophies over her competitive career. She was a lifetime member of the USTA, attended the US Open many times and was an avid fan of the game all her life. She was strong and physically fit, and her years as an athlete served her body with strength and independence into her 80s.
Joan was a woman of high principles and tenacity, with a strong will and commanding presence. She wore her politics on her sleeve and was unashamed about who she was and what she stood for. She aspired to live her values every day. She lived through 15 US presidents and watched the world change from dirt floors and encyclopedias to hi-technology, the internet, solar panels and electric vehicles.
Her final days and moments were spent surrounded by her closest family, reminiscing the memories of her life and hearing her favorite music. Her family is blessed to have had her in their lives and they are forever grateful for her being Mom, Grandma & Momo – Joan.
Local arrangements in Winchester, Virginia are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. Services will be held in Alabama at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1340 North Main Street, Arab, AL 35016. The family will receive friends and guest at a visitation from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The funeral service will follow beginning at 2:00 pm. Joan’s son, Michael Krzewick will officiate services. Interment will be in Arab Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel
