Lelia “JoAnn” Ohler, age 93, born on February 29th, 1932, departed this world and entered into her eternal Heavenly home on March 4, 2025. A visitation will be held March 9, 2025, beginning at 11 AM in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home. Services will be held on March 9, 2025, at 2 PM in the Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Tippah Memorial Gardens with no graveside service.
She was the 4th of 8 children born to Marvin and JoEllen Carter. Growing up in a large family, she learned at an early age all about hard work, sharing and love. She also developed a very competitive nature; priding herself as being able to pick more cotton than all of her siblings when they were kids. As an adult, she continued her competitiveness towards her sisters, besting them in their weekly card games.
She met and married her husband, Jack Ohler, not long after she graduated high school. When Jack retired from the Navy, they settled in Ripley so she could be closer to her beloved family. She retired, after 20 years of service, from the Tippah County Hospital where she worked in the insurance and collections department. During this time, she began making cakes on the side to earn a little extra spending money, and in no time became known far and wide for her amazing caramel cakes.
JoAnn loved her family unconditionally, and everything she did was with them in mind. They are comforted in knowing that she is sitting at a farm table in heaven playing cards with family that went before her and have been saving her a seat.
She is survived by 3 children; her daughter, Bonnie Andrews (Mark), her son, Jerry Ohler (Sharon), and her son Jason Ohler; 8 grandchildren, Josh Smith (Molly), Mitch Smith (Kim), Meghann Edwards (Drew), Tarhyn Ohler, Jerrica Ohler, Ben Ohler, Meredith Ohler and Emily Ohler and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Mona, Pat and Jackie.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Jack Ohler; her parents, Marvin and JoEllen Carter; 4 siblings, Rachel, Warren, Nancy and Dot and one grandchild, Luke Ohler.
The family extends a heartfelt “thank you” to Pat McClain Power for tirelessly helping during JoAnn’s last years.
