JoAnn Prince Fournier

JoAnn Prince Fournier, 84, was born in Kirbyville, Texas on July 1, 1938, to George Lee and Gussie Gwendolyn Williams. She passed away at home on September 19, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones. JoAnn graduated in 1956 from French High School in Beaumont, Texas, where she was a cheerleader. JoAnn met the love of her life, Ralph John Fournier Sr., in December of 1956; accepted his proposal after midnight mass on Christmas Day in 1957; and were married on June 21, 1958. They spent 64 beautiful years together building a family, traveling the world, and loving the Lord.

A true family matriarch, JoAnn lived a full life and successfully made every effort to make each moment a memory. In her early years, she was known for many things – holding the Texas bowling record, teaching Sunday school at her home church of St. Pius X, being a member of the St. Pius Ladies, actively participating in Beaumont Civic Ballet, and being a long serving member of Beaumont Junior Forum. When not busy with her family or community involvement, JoAnn could be found in her sewing room making clothes, painting beautiful artwork, and embroidering. JoAnn also loved traveling. She never turned down the opportunity for a cross country trip with her husband and friends to discover the best golf courses, cooking for family gatherings, or a quick drive to support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their various sporting events or school activities.

JoAnn is survived by her husband Ralph John Fournier Sr.; son Ralph John Fournier Jr. and his wife Debbie of Lumberton, Texas; daughter Kam Morris and her husband Jim Morris Jr. of Los Angeles, California; and daughter Kerri Abshire and her husband James Abshire Jr. of Beaumont, Texas.  She will also be forever loved and remembered by her 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and countless family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice and JoAnn’s loving nurse, Latosha Jones, for her compassionate care and support in the recent years.

A gathering of Mrs. Fournier’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 22, 2022, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5075 Bigner Road, Beaumont, Texas, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, New York 10036.