JoAnne Gilliland Whitehead, 91, from Hixson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025. She was born in Chattanooga Tennessee on July 23, 1934, and graduated from Central High School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Carlos (Buck) and Marjorie (Jo) Gilliland; brother Frederick Carlos (Bucky) Gilliland III, and former husband Paul W. Whitehead. She is survived by her 3 children , Janet Johnson (Michael), Doug Whitehead (Tessa), and Nancy McGinnis ( John); grandchildren: David (Taryn), Daniel (Andrea), and Stephen (Autumn) Johnson, Dr. Leanne Kersey, James McGinnis, (Beth) and 11 great-grandchildren. JoAnne lived a very active life and she loved to travel. She spent time in Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and too many beaches to name. She once took a solo trip on a train from Georgia to California to visit her cousins, Renee and David. She loved nature and spent as much time as possible outdoors. She loved reading, painting, gardening, square dancing, clogging and spending time with her kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren. She made friends wherever she went and always made time to spend with them. She especially loved water of any kind: ocean, lakes, streams and pools, and was always ready for a swim. She also found time to volunteer and spent time helping Meals on Wheels, Reflection Riding nature center, and various hospitals where she was a candy striper. A graveside service will be held at Chattanooga Memorial Park Cemetery (The Duck Pond) 501 Memorial Drive at 1:00 pm, on Wednesday, December 10. All friends and family are welcome to attend. This will be followed by a gathering at the Sale Creek Fire and Rescue meeting hall from 3pm to 6pm in order to celebrate JoAnne's life. We will have refreshments and everyone is welcome (located at 14828 Dayton Pike, Sale Creek, TN). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions may be made to a charitable organization of your choice.