Joan Iris Spillman Edwards

Joan Iris Spillman Edwards, age 79, passed away January 5, 2024 after a valiant battle with cancer.  She was born in Chopin, Louisiana on October 30, 1944 to John and Clara (Carnahan) Spillman.  She is survived by Bobby Lynn Edwards, her husband of 60 years, and sons Kevin, Timothy and Tracy Edwards (Jeanine). 

Left to cherish her memory are her brother Johnny, sister Kathy Poche (Carroll); grandsons Chase, Logan, Derek (Brittany) and Justin Edwards; granddaughters Sarah Vidrine (Ashton), Jessica Myers (Jacob), and Alexandria Jones (Jack); nine great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Mark; brothers, Ronnie, Michael and Dale Spillman; sister Linda Reeves; sister-in-law Dinky; and nephew Eric Spillman.    

A loving mother and Granny, Joan moved to Baton Rouge in 1963 with her husband, welcoming four sons over the following three years, not one of them a twin.  As a homemaker looking for work outside the home, she searched for the closest job she could find and, still be home when her children returned from school.  That school was Bellingrath Hills Elementary, across the street from her house where she would spend the next 41 years safely crossing neighborhood children.  For her dedication, in 2019 the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office recognized Joan as Crossing Guard of the Year.  She lovingly cared for several grandchildren in her home and hundreds of other children at her second job at Little Rascals Daycare.  She was an avid reader and loved a winning day at the casino.  We’ll miss her biscuits and tomato gravy, but most of all we’ll simply miss her gentle spirit, unconditional love and ‘hey, baby’ when we called.   We find comfort in knowing she is in God’s loving embrace, free of pain, and reunited with her beloved son, Mark.   

Visitation will be Thursday, January 11, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Blanchard’s Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Avenue, Natchitoches, Louisiana followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 2262 LA-484, Isle Brevelle, LA 71456 with burial to follow at the family cemetery (Emmanuel Cemetery) in Chopin, Louisiana.