Joann Cogdill

Joann Frances (Clift) Cogdill, daughter of Melvin and Peggy (Buttram) Clift, was born July 25, 1958, in Marshfield, Missouri, and departed this life July 18, 2022, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. She was 63 years, 11 months, and 24 days of age.

Joann grew up in the Grovespring, Missouri, area and attended grade school at Grovespring. She graduated from Hartville High School with the class of 1976 where she and Klaron were voted the biggest class flirts. Early on, Joann had her first job at JCPenny, and then sold Tupperware for a few years. She even sold enough to earn a free trip to Hawaii. Joann then worked as a cosmetologist for a few years. In July of 1986, Joann had reconnected with Klaron Cogdill at their ten year class reunion. They had gone on one date together in high school, but had gone their separate ways and had both been married and divorced. They communicated by letter and phone after the reunion, and they were united in marriage on July 24, 1988. Joann said of their marriage, “We have been through ups and downs, richer and poorer, sickness and health, and we still love each other more every day. …I am thankful to God above for bringing us together many years ago. I am thankful for the family we have made together. I am thankful for the many blessings God has granted us through the years.”

Joann worked as a Teacher's Aide in special education at Bissett Elementary School, after she and Klaron were married and expecting their son Jaron, where she really developed a passion for teaching. She then decided to stay home with the children for many years until she and Klaron decided to attend college together at the age of 40. They attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and they both graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Elementary Education. After graduation, they started taking Master's classes together, and they finished their Master's Degrees in Education Administration together over the next few years. She started her teaching career at Success Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Joann also served on the Hartville Board of Education from 1998 to 2007. In October of 2003, she attained the Advanced Board Member Certificate, and in May of 2004, she earned the Master Board Member Certificate. At the end of her career, Joann got her dream job teaching Elementary Art at Seymour. She retired from teaching due to health reasons in May of 2022. Joann was more than just an educator. As quoted by one of her students, "She took us baby ducks under her wing and showed us everything we needed to know so that we could fly."

Joann had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her flower bed and growing beautiful flowers. She was an excellent cook and loved to cook from scratch. She was famous for her cheesecake and her family said that she made the best fried chicken around! One of her talents also included serving as her kid's lawyer any time they got a ticket or needed represented. Art was Joann's ultimate passion. She always had a project going and loved involving her kids and grandkids in art projects. Klaron and Joann rooted their foundation in the Lord, and they made sure they remained involved in church throughout their marriage. They were currently attending Hartville Free Will Baptist Church.

Joann was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Owen and Doris Cogdill, four brothers-in-law, Knial Cogdill, Kevin Cogdill, Ike Arnall, and Faron Cogdill, one sister-in-law, Lucille Cogdill, and one nephew, Shannon Hudson.

She is survived by her husband, Klaron Cogdill, her parents, Melvin and Peggy Clift, five children, Justin Bonnarens and his wife, Nicole, Aquelia Storlazzi and friend Jeff Webb, Aaron Cogdill and his wife, Amber, Jaron Cogdill and his wife, Ginny, and Jaden Cogdill and his wife, Kashmir, twelve grandchildren, Kolton Cogdill, Payton Cogdill, Kyndall Storlazzi, Mason Cogdill, Parker Bonnarens, Riley Storlazzi, Braden Moore, Isabella Bonnarens, Natalee Storlazzi, Owen Cogdill, Oaklynn Cogdill, and Cora Jo Cogdill, one sister, Cathy Peterson and her husband, Jerald, one brother, Tommy Clift and his wife, Cherie, two brothers-in-law, Garnall Cogdill and Karmon Cogdill and his wife, Sammye, three sisters-in-law, Judy Arnall, Jane Cogdill, and June Ann Cogdill, and many, many, many, nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends who will miss her.