Obituary for Joan Gayle Rash Pappa Joan Gayle Rash Pappa passed away on July 24, 2018, in Tyler Texas. She was born February 23, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Grady Dennis and Martha Plummer Rash. At the time of her death she was living in Winnsboro, Texas.
Joan graduated from The Hockaday School in 1951, and attended SMU. She married Jack Stanley Pappa on June 21, 1953, and last month the couple celebrated their 65th anniversary. They lived in Dallas, Rockwall, and Ben Wheeler, Texas, before moving to East Texas three years ago.
Joan worked for 25 years in the travel industry as a Certified Travel Counselor. She owned and managed four travel agencies, serving as the president of Travel Agents Council of North Texas in 1983. She and Jack traveled extensively, including trips to Egypt and Africa and they were some of the first travel agents allowed to travel into China.
Joan worked 16 years as a Property Tax Consultant for Rash and Associates from 1990 to 2006. Joan’s passion was family genealogy research which she began in 1964. She was a member of the James Butler Bonham Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT).
She taught beginner genealogy courses for Rockwall County Adult Education. She was a member of the Dallas Genealogy Society, Rockwall County Genealogical Society, and Van Zandt County Genealogical Society. She worked as a Genealogist Researcher and Archivist with OPHGR—Organization for the Preservation of Historical and Genealogical records.
Joan continually searched for the newest clues so she could locate—and celebrate—the next branch of the family tree. She taught us to love the history of our family. She is survived by her husband and her loving family including daughter, Cynthia Duncan and husband Howard of Danielsville GA, and her son, Dennis Pappa and wife Sheryl of Winnsboro TX.
She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Charlie, Joshua, Sarah, Sally, Rachel, Stacy, Christopher, Stephen and Gabriel, and 26 great grandchildren. Other survivors include her beloved brother, Bob Rash and his wife Polly, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Milton Rash.
Joan showed us how to make time for something fun, to travel the world and make family the top priority. She’ll be remembered for her optimism, love of life, determined spirit, generosity and quick wit. Most of all we will miss her joyful smile and laughter.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to charity of choice.
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