Joanna Conyers Gornto

Joanna Conyers Gornto, beloved wife of Edward Dowling “E.D.” Gornto, passed away Sunday, May 10 at the local hospital, after a brief illness. Born in Augusta, Georgia on August 2, 1957 to C. Jack Conyers and the late Veronica Goldsmith, Joanna spent most of her childhood in Rockville, Maryland, where she attended the public schools. In 1978, shortly after her father Jack relocated to FLETC, Joanna joined him on St. Simons Island. She had often visited her grandparents there as a child and found, amidst the coastal islands, her true home.

Joanna worked in the food & beverage industry before deciding to pursue a profession in teaching. She worked, while attending classes, at the Jekyll Island Club, and was part of the original staff there during and after the 1985 renovations. Her decision to enter into education was well-founded: she was a Dean’s list student at Armstrong State University, graduating summa cum laude with her Bachelors Degree in Education.

Mrs. Gornto was a natural educator, a born teacher, having won the Armstrong Award in college. After years of success at Jane Macon Middle School, she was asked to help our most challenged students at the Alternative School. There, she became a vital part of the “Last Chance” program and and was chosen as Glynn County’s Teacher of the Year.

The marriage, in 1984, of E.D. and Joanna created a new and happy family. Always accompanied by music, they built their home and traveled the world on a 31-year honeymoon.

Her passion for her family, and for the culture of the area, led to her early retirement. She became the matriarch of her large family, preparing holiday meals and spending time with her 10 grandchildren. E.D. and Joanna traveled extensively and happily, but enjoyed even more the fishing and beaches of Cumberland, Blackbeard and Sapelo Islands. Joanna was a beach girl, and seining for shrimp, walking, or just sitting around, she was in her natural element at the beach.

Joanna and E.D. are good and true friends to a wide circle, but she will be most dearly missed by her family; in addition to E.D., she is survived by her father Jack Conyers (Billie), and by her brothers Michael Conyers (Glynnis) of Chicago; John Conyers (Ellen) and their son Leon of Berlin, Germany; by E.D.’s children Chance Gornto, Stacy Gornto, and A.D. “Zeeby” Gornto, all of Brunswick; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

A list of Mrs. Gornto’s survivors would be incomplete without mention of the many underprivileged and challenged children who came to love her so well that several asked her to become their Godmother. And even the Atlanta Braves will hear their cheers slightly diminished with her passing.

The family will receive visitors between the hours of 6 and 8p.m. on Friday, May 15 at the Edo Miller Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service held in Edo Miller’s Chapel, will be observed Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m.

The family would like to recognize the Faculty and Staff of Jane Macon Middle School, and the Nurses and Staff of the Critical Care Unit as Honorary Pallbearers. The donation of flowers is welcome, or a memorial contribution in Joanna’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3011 Hampton Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Oglethorpe Crematorium. www.edomillerandsons.com