Joanne Liles Beal

Joanne was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 23, 1930, to Dr. Carl and Jo Liles. Her growing up years in the depression were lived at the “Haven on the Hill”, the Dorothea Dix Hospital. She often spoke of an ideal childhood in this self-contained community for the mentally ill, war casualties and epileptic children. Staff and their family, who lived on site, and patients worked together to attend to all the needs - on farms, food operations, laundry, maintenance and repair shops, housekeeping, security and other services.. The family is sure that the early years of growing up at “Dix” contributed to Joanne’s overwhelming sense of acceptance, love and compassion for those who are often ignored and overlooked in society.

When she was 11 years old, her parents were surprised with twin daughters, Jane and Jerry, (known currently as Jane Liles Austin and Jerry Liles Bell). Dr. Liles, concerned with providing for his expanding family, left Dix Hospital and set up in private practice in downtown Raleigh. Joanne graduated from Needham Broughton High School. She attended St. Mary’s for two years and went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a fine arts degree focusing on art history. Afterwards she taught art in the public school system.

In her early twenties, a friend introduced her to Cabe Carlton from Albemarle, NC. They fell in love, married and were blessed with four daughters, twins Tracy and Sydney, Chris and Becky. In his career with Sinclair Oil Company, they moved many times, from New Bern to Raleigh to Charlotte in NC, to Columbia, SC, to Cockeysville, MD, to Chesterfield, MO and finally to Lenexa, KS. After 25 years of marriage, they divorced and Joanne moved back to her home state of North Carolina.

Throughout her lifetime, Joanne was also an art teacher in private settings, and did portraits and still lifes. She received various awards at art shows through the many years on her work. There was a period she served as decorator for the model homes of builders. She also enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Deblyn Park Garden Club.

Joanne was a member of DAR and a Magna Charta Dame. She was also a member of the Sir Walter Raleigh chapter of the Colonial Dames of America. She loved doing further research in genealogy on the family lines. Her parents’ pursuit in this manner greatly inspired her.

The importance of prayer was a priority in her life. She was a member of Providence Church in Raleigh for over 30 years. Serving in the prayer ministry and working in the Upper Room was dear to her heart.

Joanne’s latter years were spent at Springmoor Retirement Village. Independent living there was a joy and a pleasure. She met and made many dear friends who enriched her life. After a fall and a stint in their rehab, she moved into the hospital wing where various ailments curtailed her activities. The last two and a half years were spent hunkered down in the Springmoor hospital wing. Due to the tender, loving, personal care of the Springmoor staff and to Dr. Kritz and his expert staff at the hematology center at Rex Oncology, Joanne miraculously almost made it to her 92nd birthday.

It is the family’s desire to continue “Jo Jo’s” heritage of loving care and kindness to others as we pass this way in life. Joanne is survived by: her daughters, Tracy Carlton-Nagel of Wichita, KS, Sydney Martin of Olathe, KS, Chris Bennett and husband, Scott, of Keller, TX, Rebecca Liles Carlton of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Daniel Nagel and wife Stacy, Matthew Nagel and Shannin, Collin Martin and wife April, Adam Martin and Carina, Ryan Bennett and wife Brandi, Kelli Lopez and husband David; great grandchildren, Connor, Keith, Colt, Dean, Bella, Sylvia, Benny, Emma Jo; sisters, Jane Austin of Raleigh, Jerry Bell of Chapel Hill; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Brian Frost. Burial followed in Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either: the Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615, or to Providence Church, 6339 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612, in memory of Joanne Liles Beal, use the links below, under ‘donations’.

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