Joan Southworth

Joan Alice Southworth, 92, of Vicksburg, passed away on December 12, 2024, from complications resulting from a fall in August. Joan was born on December 2, 1932, in Vicksburg, the daughter of John Colton Rapp and Bernice (Miller) Rapp. She lived her entire life in Vicksburg.

There is so much to say about Joan and her life it’s difficult to know where to begin. She was kind, caring and compassionate and extremely opinionated. If you were her friend, she went out of her way to help you whenever she was able. 

Many years ago, she worked as a lay out editor for newspapers in Three Rivers and Vicksburg. Joan was truly an artist, she would draw on anything from an envelope to a canvas, sometimes she even made her own Christmas cards.

She dedicated her whole life to saving animals and there were so many. From chickens and ducks to cats and dogs and horses, she loved them all. Each one had a story to tell. She would say, saving that one dog will not change the world, but for that dog their world will change forever.

She so enjoyed life and getting together with friends of which she was blessed to have many. Some will remember her years of showing dogs with lots of winning ribbons. Others will recall all the miles spent riding horses, and hitting all the garage sales. In the past few years, you could find Joan climbing aboard her Kayak and enjoying the river. 

She is preceded in death by her husband John who truly was her sole mate. They spent many hours working their land, riding his Harley and visiting with friends. 

Joan is survived by her sister Lois (James) Meulman; her stepson Bruce (Paige) Southworth. She is also survived by her close friends: Walt and Kathy Leaders who attended to Joan daily, special friend Duane who checked in with her often, Jeff and Pam who always included her for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner every year, Sandy and Lynn who traveled many miles on horseback with her; her rescue friends Barbara and Lauri, her longtime friend Marsha in Tennessee with many phone visits and Cindy who checked in often, Norm and Jeanie and Jim and Linda her Friday night dinner at the Hideaway friends, and all her caring neighbors.

Following her wishes, cremation has taken place. While visiting Joan’s memory page at www.amsfuneralhomes.com, please sign the guestbook and leave a memory for the family. The Southworth family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral home; 409 S Main St, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, 269 649-1697.