My Life’s Footprints…
“Take a moment today to stop and smell the roses, appreciate the vibrancy of the color green, listen to the whistle of the wind as it blows through the trees and imagine hearing the sweet melodic voice of Our Precious Angel, Joan.”
Joan Follie Adams was born on April 29, 1943, in Silsbee, Texas to the late Thomas Edward and Eula Lee Follie. She was special.
Joan grew up in Silsbee, where she developed a love for the Arts at a young age, music in particular. She was taught to play the piano, organ, harp, and violin by her music instructor, the late Mrs. Ruby Dabney. Joan quickly mastered the instruments, favoring the piano and organ. Even more impressive than the collection of instruments that she played, was her voice. Joan was blessed with a rich Contralto voice that stood out. She began to sing and play in school competitions and at churches. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age was united with New Bethel Baptist Church where she was a member of the youth choir. She along with two of her sisters were known as the “Follie Sisters” and sang at churches all over the area. Eventually, two men joined the group and they became known as the “Williamnaires” and traveled with the late Rev. Williams to perform.
Joan attended Waldo Mathews High School where she continued to excel academically and musically. She was popular among the students and was crowned Miss Waldo Mathews High in 1961. She along with her sisters and a friend performed together as the “Gospel Stars.” They were featured artists every Sunday morning on the radio. She went on to graduate with Waldo Mathews High School Class of 1961 as High Girl which is equivalent to today’s Valedictorian.
Joan earned a scholarship to attend Prairie View A&M where she majored in music. During her tenure at PV, she participated in and won the Miss Black Texas Pageant held on the campus of Texas Southern University in 1961. Yes, our mother was Miss Black Texas
Joan married her High School Sweetheart on July 6, 1963 after which she later became the mother of seven amazingly gifted children. She was a tremendous example of sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. She graduated from Prairie View A&M in December of 1964 with a degree in Music.
Upon returning home from college Joan enrolled in Lincoln Business college and received a certification in Business Management. She obtained employment at Cooks and Birdwell Department stores in Silsbee and as a Nurses Aide at Silsbee Convalescent Center. Her hard work at the nursing facility caught the attention of the Administrator and the Nursing Association awarded her a scholarship to attend Nursing School. She completed the program and took the State Test for Nursing in 1966 to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She immediately began working as an emergency room nurse at Silsbee Doctors Hospital under Dr. Sam P. Copeland and Dr. Doug Tennison for several years.
In 1978 she moved to Beaumont, Texas where she was hired as a nurse in the Women & Children Hospital Division as well as St. Elizabeth hospital in the emergency room. She continued her education at Lamar University in Beaumont where she became a Registered Nurse in 1979. The State of Texas appointed her to be a Long Term Care Nurse in Orange, Texas at Orange Memorial Hospital. Her outstanding work ethic and commitment to providing quality care for her patients over the years led to her becoming the first African American Director of Nurses at Green Acres Nursing Home. Joan hired and trained some of the best Nurses and Nurse’s Aides in Southeast Texas. She worked at many facilities during her 40-year career as a nurse. She enjoyed the last 12 years the most as she studied and became a Wound Care Specialist which allowed her to travel throughout the States of Texas and Louisiana performing consultations on patient skin and wound care for facilities that were in immediate jeopardy. Nursing was one of her life passions beyond retirement up until her death.
The most important passion that Joan had was ministry. It was truly her gift and calling. Her gift made room for her and she directed many choirs and Male Choruses, and played at churches across Southeast Texas such as Mount Olive Baptist Church, Mount Calvary, Starlight Brotherhood, Full Gospel, St. Beulah and St. John to name a few. A special part of her heart was the time that she spent playing for St. Teresa Catholic Church. People who were not even Catholic would come on Sundays to hear her and the male chorus sing. It was an honor for her to sing and praise the Lord; it was her service to Him. She was a willing vessel and the Lord used her gift to draw others unto him. She often played and sang at weddings and many funerals at no charge. She planted seeds of wisdom in every person that she came into contact with along her life journey. She is reaping her reward now.
Mom’s favorite pastime was shopping! She loved to dress and she did not believe in leaving the house looking “any old way” as she called it. She was a Diva before the term became popular. She loved beautiful clothes, shoes, and jewelry. We remember growing up she was obsessed with shoes, J.Renee’s were one of her favorite brands and she had a closet with about 300 pairs of shoes. You could literally go shopping for shoes and accessories in her closet which earned her the name “Palais Joan” after the Palais Royal store where she loved to shop. Her love of perfume often gave her away, because we always knew when she was home because we could smell her before we ever saw her. We’re sure that she is somewhere picking out the perfect pearls to match her robe.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: John Earl Follie, Larry Glen Follie, and sister, Sheila Kay Follie. We also acknowledge the recent passing of her beautiful granddaughter Tayler Elizabeth Henson.
In this life, you have to maximize every opportunity to allow your light to shine. Joan mastered it. She lived her entire life for this very moment where Our Lord said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” ~Mathew 25:23
Cherishing her memory forever are her children: Ingrid D’Juan Rogers of San Antonio, Texas, Christia Allison (Steven) of Orange, Texas, Alexie L. Rogers of Washington, D.C., Jojuana Cleveland (Tony Sr.) of Garland, Texas, Earlton Rogers Sr. (Chasity) of Orange, Texas, Tony Rogers (Angela) of Hopkins, South Carolina, and Tiffany Rogers of Beaumont, Texas. Grandchildren: Tayler Henson (Caleb), Torren Allison, Alexis Rogers, LaToia Briggs, Jasmine Rogers, Tony Cleveland Jr., Ashli Cleveland, Brittany Rogers, Brianna Rogers, Earlton Rogers Jr., Briara Rogers, Brian Rogers, Brooklyn Rogers, Dakota Jefferson and Jermanee Jefferson. Great Grandchildren: Kameron Hunter, Myamie Taylor, and Cari Henson. Brothers: Gerald Follie of Silsbee, Texas, Theodore Follie of San Augustine, Texas, Barry Hamdani of Orange, Texas. Sisters: Jean Oakes of Orange, Texas, Julie Cross of Orange, Texas, Phyliss Chavis of Orange, TX, Wanda Watkins of League City, Texas and Linda Williams of Orange, Texas. God Daughter: Rashondria Daniel (Donald), God Son: Jaelen Broussard (Demi) along with all of her precious nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
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