Joanne Bergel Goldstein

She celebrated her 92nd birthday a little early with her family before passing away with her beloved children by her side.

The daughter of Sam Bergel and Dorothy Levy Baum Bergel, Joanne and Mickey Goldstein were married on October 17. 1948, and they enjoyed a grand life together for almost 70 years with many adventures – traveling (especially Las Vegas), acting, music, writing and the joys of watching their children grow up and succeed in life. Morton Allen “Mickey” Goldstein predeceased his beloved wife on October 30, 2017, as well as their son, Sammy Goldstein on November 27, 2018.

Joanne and Mickey are survived by three children, Pat Goldstein of Memphis, TN, David Goldstein of Essexville, MI, Jill Patton (John) of Olive Branch, MS; nine grandchildren, Lauren Schook (Karl), Joshua Goldstein (Becky), Allison Mayden (Brett), Chris Brasel (Jessica), Cayce, Tyler and Taylor Brasel, Christopher Bergeron (Teresa), Jonathan Bergeron; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Olivia and Charlotte Brasel, Jacob, Emma and Ava Goldstein, Joseph and Amelia Schook, Maisie Mayden, Olivia, Oliver, Owen and Jameson Bergeron as well as a “surrogate” mother to many.

Joanne said her family and young people always came first. Children were her joy in life. She once said she was born to be a grandmother and was “Namaw” to her grandchildren and “greats.”

She was an active member of Temple B’nai Israel and taught Sunday School for over 20 years. She also served as the president of Temple Sisterhood.

She was called “Madame” by some of her friends and raised money for many charities using her stage name of “Madame Neva.” In other community leadership, she was a member of Cotillion Club, and along with Elizabeth Ann Dike, founded Girls Club of Jackson in the mid-1970s. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader in 1950s through the late 1960s and also served as a Cub Scout leader in the late 1950s through the early 1960s. She was T.K.O. Mother local and national in the 1960’s and 1970’s helping guide and advise young people. She was a Kappa Chi Mother in the 1960s and 1970s.

When children left home, she carved out a career in acting with no experience, just a desire to be busy and productive. She had small parts in movies and TV programs with lead roles in an “Unsolved Mysteries” and an “It’s a Miracle” episode. Her favorites were doing commercials and music videos – and there were many, both local and national. She particularly enjoyed performing in commercials and country music videos with Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Tricia Yearwood and Chris Young amongst many others.

From the work learned in TV, she began teaching acting classes. This was her second niche in life. Her theater students became another set of children. She guided them well, attended as many of their performances as she could, and was always thrilled to hear of their successes. Her theater “children” live and perform across the United States.

The family thanks our recent caregivers, Silas, Kathy, Liz, Barbara, Frances, Mae and Pearlie, for their loving care.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 26, at George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 2812 N Highland Ave, in Jackson. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 27, at Congregation B'nai Israel, 401 West Grand Ave., Jackson, and the burial following the service will be at Congregation B’nai Israel Cemetery, 636 Hollywood Drive, in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances of Joanne are donations to

Congregation B’nai Israel Cemetery Trust Fund, P.O. Box 10906, Jackson, TN 38308

or Boys & Girls Club of Jackson, attn: Ms. Sabrina Anderson, 832 Lexington Ave. Jackson, TN 38305.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Goldstein family.