Obituary for Joann Mayble Carraway
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Meeting ID: 821 7720 2971
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Joann Mayble Williams Carraway was born on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 1936, in Vancleave, Mississippi. She was the second child of eight children born to the late James “Buster” Williams, Sr. and Ernestine Whittle. On Thursday morning, October 19, 2023, at 5:36 a.m., she received her wings and flew away to be with her Lord.
Joann graduated from Keys High School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in June 1953. She married Melvin Showers and to this union, Raymond Showers their only son was born. In 1969, she moved to Washington, D.C. to begin a new life and met the true love of her life, Haywood Carraway, Sr. Joann was his “Sweetie Pie” and Haywood was her “Mighty Fine”. On October 11, 1974, they were married by the late Reverend Annie Bell Hagler and remained committed to each other for almost thirty-five years until his passing in 2009. They loved classical movies and dining at their favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, IHOP, and McDonald’s. She especially enjoyed McDonald’s fish sandwiches and Barq’s Root Beer.
In 1970, Joann was chosen as a worship leader for the mid-day services at Mount Zion Christian Community Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. During this time, she received her call into the ministry. She worked with the late Reverend Theodore A. Allen, President of the Missionary Civic Workers Society, as an active missionary, choir leader, and secretary of the finance committee. In October 1972, Joann was licensed as a minister by her Overseer, Pastor, and Founder, Annie Bell Hagler, with the Christian Community Churches of Christ in Washington, D.C. During the period from 1972 to 1974, Joann attended Bible School to study the bible, book by book, in detail. From 1974 to 1976, she attended Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. enrolling in special seminars and workshops for ministers. In 1976, Joann was ordained a reverend and received her first assignment as the Acting Pastor with St. Ann Christian Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1978, Reverend Carraway and her pastor began a prison ministry in the tri-state area of Washington, D.C, Maryland, and Virginia. She continued her spiritual education and growth with the Women's Ministers Alliance in Baltimore, which included women in the ministry, church administration, youth counseling, and the role of the church in the family structure. On September 30, 1981, Reverend Carraway received a lifetime Certificate of Authorization from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to celebrate the rites of marriage.
Reverend Carraway’s ministry led her into hospitals, half-way houses, homeless shelters food pantries, and onto street corners to preach and spread the word. She served as the Worship Leader and Secretary on the Ministerial Staff with the Christian Service Foundation Ministries and the Emery Men’s Shelter in Washington, D. C. under the leadership of her friend the late Reverend Dr. Alice E. Stephens. She often served as a guest minister, singing and preaching at Love Fellowship Christian Ministries Church under the leadership of Rev. Betty Steele and at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ernestine Battle. She was a faithful member of Park View Baptist Church where she was led by God to encourage Marc K. White to become the pastor. Reverend Carraway wanted to make sure everyone she met was saved. When her mind became frail, she relocated to Louisiana to be closer to her family. She remained faithful to the cause of Christ and continued to evangelize, lecture, counsel, sing, and preach the Word of God at the Guest House and the Central Guest House Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was able to attend church services with her nieces, Carla and Marilyn, and received communion at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. During her final months at the Central Guest House, she along with Evangelist Debra Williams conducted weekly bible study sessions and worship services until her passing.
Joann is survived by her brother James “Sonny” Williams, Jr., her devoted niece and caregiver, Carla Gibson (George) Baker of New Orleans, Louisiana, secondary caregiver and nephew Robert Frankie (Ranee) Thomas of Accokeek, Maryland, and a host of relatives and friends in Mississippi, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, James “Buster” Williams, Sr. and Ernestine Whittle Williams; husband, Haywood Carraway, Sr., son, Raymond Showers; siblings, Velma Gibson Anderson, Julia Pearl Peacock, Wallace Williams, Lindy Anderson, Millie Ann Jenkins, and Corene Showers Simmons.
To join the service via Zoom, please click here at the time of service
OR
enter this ID and passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 821 7720 2971
Passcode: Carraway
If you are experiencing trouble connecting to zoom, try refreshing your browser. If the trouble persists, contact our technology department at 301-347-8348 or email us at jkjenkins@jbjfh.com. Thank you.
Joann Mayble Williams Carraway was born on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 1936, in Vancleave, Mississippi. She was the second child of eight children born to the late James “Buster” Williams, Sr. and Ernestine Whittle. On Thursday morning, October 19, 2023, at 5:36 a.m., she received her wings and flew away to be with her Lord.
Joann graduated from Keys High School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in June 1953. She married Melvin Showers and to this union, Raymond Showers their only son was born. In 1969, she moved to Washington, D.C. to begin a new life and met the true love of her life, Haywood Carraway, Sr. Joann was his “Sweetie Pie” and Haywood was her “Mighty Fine”. On October 11, 1974, they were married by the late Reverend Annie Bell Hagler and remained committed to each other for almost thirty-five years until his passing in 2009. They loved classical movies and dining at their favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, IHOP, and McDonald’s. She especially enjoyed McDonald’s fish sandwiches and Barq’s Root Beer.
In 1970, Joann was chosen as a worship leader for the mid-day services at Mount Zion Christian Community Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. During this time, she received her call into the ministry. She worked with the late Reverend Theodore A. Allen, President of the Missionary Civic Workers Society, as an active missionary, choir leader, and secretary of the finance committee. In October 1972, Joann was licensed as a minister by her Overseer, Pastor, and Founder, Annie Bell Hagler, with the Christian Community Churches of Christ in Washington, D.C. During the period from 1972 to 1974, Joann attended Bible School to study the bible, book by book, in detail. From 1974 to 1976, she attended Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. enrolling in special seminars and workshops for ministers. In 1976, Joann was ordained a reverend and received her first assignment as the Acting Pastor with St. Ann Christian Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1978, Reverend Carraway and her pastor began a prison ministry in the tri-state area of Washington, D.C, Maryland, and Virginia. She continued her spiritual education and growth with the Women's Ministers Alliance in Baltimore, which included women in the ministry, church administration, youth counseling, and the role of the church in the family structure. On September 30, 1981, Reverend Carraway received a lifetime Certificate of Authorization from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to celebrate the rites of marriage.
Reverend Carraway’s ministry led her into hospitals, half-way houses, homeless shelters food pantries, and onto street corners to preach and spread the word. She served as the Worship Leader and Secretary on the Ministerial Staff with the Christian Service Foundation Ministries and the Emery Men’s Shelter in Washington, D. C. under the leadership of her friend the late Reverend Dr. Alice E. Stephens. She often served as a guest minister, singing and preaching at Love Fellowship Christian Ministries Church under the leadership of Rev. Betty Steele and at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ernestine Battle. She was a faithful member of Park View Baptist Church where she was led by God to encourage Marc K. White to become the pastor. Reverend Carraway wanted to make sure everyone she met was saved. When her mind became frail, she relocated to Louisiana to be closer to her family. She remained faithful to the cause of Christ and continued to evangelize, lecture, counsel, sing, and preach the Word of God at the Guest House and the Central Guest House Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was able to attend church services with her nieces, Carla and Marilyn, and received communion at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. During her final months at the Central Guest House, she along with Evangelist Debra Williams conducted weekly bible study sessions and worship services until her passing.
Joann is survived by her brother James “Sonny” Williams, Jr., her devoted niece and caregiver, Carla Gibson (George) Baker of New Orleans, Louisiana, secondary caregiver and nephew Robert Frankie (Ranee) Thomas of Accokeek, Maryland, and a host of relatives and friends in Mississippi, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, James “Buster” Williams, Sr. and Ernestine Whittle Williams; husband, Haywood Carraway, Sr., son, Raymond Showers; siblings, Velma Gibson Anderson, Julia Pearl Peacock, Wallace Williams, Lindy Anderson, Millie Ann Jenkins, and Corene Showers Simmons.