Joanne Peeples

Obituary –  A Leaf Has Fallen

Joanna Veronica Peeples Mercer was born October 7, 1955 in Philadelphia PA.  She was the second child God entrusted to the parenthood of the late Reverend Spencer Jackson, Sr. and Virgue Sue Rascoe Jackson.  At the age of three month, her big brother nicknamed her Cookie.

Joanna was educated in the Philadelphia School system.  At the age of eleven, she joined the New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and became the lead singer.  In her adult life she would often express the happiness she felt when her daddy praised her for her singing.

Joanna worked at several jobs over the years but she found working as a beautician to be the most fulfilling.  Unfortunately, her asthma forced her to stop doing hair.

She was kind and compassionate and these characteristics were evident as she was a caregiver for Daddy for two years until he became too ill to remain at home.

In 2003 she joined the Erie Avenue Baptist Church, under  the pastoring of her spiritual brother, Reverend Dr. Clarence Hester.  Joanna served on the Willing Workers Choir, Pastor’s Aid, Nurses Unit and the Most High Praise Singers.  It was at the Erie Avenue Baptist Church that she met and married Ivan Mercer.

Joanna was preceded in death by her son David Guyton;4 nephews – Jermaine Horn; Reginald Bennet; Anwar Rascoe; Tariq Rascoe; and father Reverend Spencer Jackson, Sr.

Joanna leaves to cherish her memory, her husband - Ivan; 3 - sons Maurice, Francis and Munir; mother – Reverend Virgue Jackson; 2 brothers Kelly (Juliet); Spencer Jr. (Cheri); 1 Sister June Valerie (Leon); Spiritual Brother – Reverend Dr. Clarence Hester (Charmaine); 4 granddaughters – Jamiah, Kenya, Fayonna, Madison; 4 grandsons – Hasan, Francis, Castle, Jaylen, Baby Dave; 1 great-granddaughter Jah’siy; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews; surrogate sister – Lisa; special caretaker – Steven Nesmith; Ward family; Bradley Family.