Mrs. Joanne Louise (Nocera) Johnson, age 69, of Madison, AL, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 4, 2021, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Joanne is predeceased by her parents, John and Marian (Smith) Nocera, her older brother Thomas P. Nocera, and her grandson, Matthew Scott Current.
Mrs. Johnson was born on October 8, 1951 in Niagara Falls, NY. She spent much of her youth playing down by her beloved Falls. She attended Niagara Falls High School and received an Assoc. of Science degree in dental assisting from Niagara County Community College. She would later go back to school to study German.
After graduation, Joanne married, and with her family moved to several different states, finally landing in Huntsville, AL, which became her second home. She worked as a substitute teacher for the Madison County School System, and later, she taught German to local homeschool groups. Mrs. Johnson even went on and received a nursing degree.
However, no matter where she lived, she was always active within her local church, serving in various roles such as: Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader, choir member, and what she would describe as her true calling, the prayer ministry. She always believed it was a privilege to carry other people’s cares and concerns before her Father’s throne.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her dear husband, Steve Johnson of Madison, AL. She is also survived by her former husband Edward Sarkisian of Greer, SC and their children, Rebecca (Jason) Current né Sarkisian of Dobson, NC and Edward M. Sarkisian of Hubert, NC. She will be greatly missed by her beloved grandchildren, the apples of her eye, William and Aidan Current and Rebecca and Edward Sarkisian. She is also survived by her younger brother, Charles Nocera of Ithaca, NY, as well as several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 10th at 1:00 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. David Hammond officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to either Choose Life of Northern Alabama or the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia at: theaftd.org for research and support.
