Having always wanted to live near the ocean, Joan and her husband Marshall moved to Savannah in October of 2005 and Wilmington Island seemed to be the perfect place to make a home. In searching for a new church family, God led them to First Baptist Church of the Islands where they joined in November of that same year. Joan joined the staff of FBCI in November as Ministry Assistant to the pastors.

Joan was born and raised in Bremen, Georgia by Christian parents. Church was a very important part of her life and at the young age of 13 she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior during a revival service. Music has always been a passion for her and she is now a member of the choir at FBCI. Joan says, "He inhabits the praises of His people and it is such a joy to be part of a choir that truly praises Him through song."

Joan's husband, Marshall works in the insurance business but is also very active in the ministry of God's work. "My greatest gift in life, aside from my salvation, is the gift of my husband's love for me. Through him I have seen just a glimpse of the unconditional love of God." Joan is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Shanna and Tiffany, mother-in-law to a fine Christian man, and also grandmother to her precious one year old Emma.