Joe Ann Carnes, 88, died Dec. 2, 2007, at her home after a long illness.
Joe Ann requested that there not be a memorial service.
Joe Ann was born Oct. 6, 1919, in Portland to Frank Burrell and LaVern Kurz. The family moved to San Francisco and later to the North Powder area. Joe Ann graduated from Union High School.
Joe Ann married Clarke Herman Carnes on Sept. 30, 1946, at Weiser, Idaho. Their home in Baker City always had a beautiful manicured garden and lawn.
Joe Ann and Clarke were members of the Episcopal Church and the Esther Chapter of the Eastern Star. The couple had a great love for beautiful horses and both enjoyed riding. Joe Ann was employed as a waitress at the Baker Cafe and the Geiser Cafe.
Joe Ann loved to walk. She could be seen walking all around town – sometimes carrying parcels and sometimes just walking. When asked if she wanted a ride, she would say no because she wanted the exercise.
It seemed that Joe Ann did not socialize very much, especially after she was widowed and living alone in Baker City, but there was a group of some cousins and some women friends that she loved to meet with for the “Birthday Group” lunches. If it was Joe Ann’s choice, she always wanted to go to Huangs – she loved Chinese food and especially enjoyed sharing in those times of meeting for lunch.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clarke Carnes in 1991.
It has been suggested that those wishing to make memorial gifts in her memory direct them to St. Elizabeth Health Services Foundation or to Oregon Community Foundation, through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 7, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor