JoAnn (Taylor) Clafferty

JoAnn Taylor Clafferty, 74, of Waco, passed away on December 23, 2020, at home surrounded by her loved ones.  God didn’t want to keep JoAnn and Mike apart any longer. May she rest in Peace.

JoAnn was born May 19, 1946 in Wichita Falls, TX to Thomas Julian Taylor and Warrena Alexander Taylor. As the daughter of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, JoAnn and her family grew up all over the country, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico.  After graduating from Alcee Fortier Senior High School in 1964, JoAnn went to college at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where she ran track, and met the love of her life, Michael Dan Clafferty.  They were married on January 15, 1965, in Nacogdoches.  JoAnn was an integrator operator for Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company in Houston, TX for 2 years, before opting to stay home to raise her 3 children.  Due to transfers with Mike’s job, they soon moved to Texas City and then Victoria.  They eventually settled in Waco in 1978, which is where they made their final home.

JoAnn was the epitome of grace and beauty.  In addition to being a loving and devoted wife and mother, she was a woman of strong faith in the Lord, which she shared with her family.  JoAnn, Mike and their family were founding members of St. Jerome Catholic Church.  JoAnn found a piece of heaven through gardening and was proud to become a Master Gardener.  She was instrumental in helping with the planning and design layout at the Carleen Bright Arboretum.  She loved being a part of the Garden Club, where she served as both President and also Treasurer.  JoAnn was a docent and member of the Museum Council for the Earle-Harrison House/Nell Pape Garden Center and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Waco.  JoAnn and her husband enjoyed dancing and were members of the Philo Dinner and Dance Club.

She was preceded in the recent death of her husband, Michael Dan Clafferty, Sr., and also preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Julian Taylor and Warrena Alexander Taylor.

She is survived by her daughter Veronica Clafferty Brown and husband Brian of Santa Clarita, CA, her son Michael Dan Clafferty, Jr. and wife Kathy of Hewitt, and her son Matthew Clafferty and wife Stephanie of Woodway, along with 9 grandchildren, Rachel, Logan, Tanner and Isabella Brown of Santa Clarita, CA, Jacob and McKenzie Clafferty of Hewitt, and Alice, Stella and Scarlet Clafferty of Woodway.  JoAnn is also survived by her brother Thomas Julian Taylor, II (Jay) and wife Sandy, of Oklahoma City, OK, sister Terri Taylor Akin of Houston, and brother Ray Taylor and wife Becky of Carthage.

Due to the current COVID-19 concern, the private family mass will be live-streamed on the St. Jerome Facebook page.   In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.