Constance "JoAnn" Joy Loftis

Constance Joy Maner Loftis affectionately known as “JoAnn,” was welcomed home to heaven on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Sunnybrook Rehabilitation Center in Raleigh, NC, where she resided for the past year, after a long and productive life, at the age of 88.

JoAnn was born on September 26, 1933 to Etheridge Lee Maner and Katherine Webb Maner and was a loving sister to her brother E.L. Maner Jr, and Shirley Maner Midkiff. She graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1951. And attended Piedmont Baptist College (now Carolina University). She was married to Rev. Dale A. Loftis on August 31, 1952.

Together they served in ministry for over 60 years. JoAnn served at her husband’s side as a pastor’s wife, mother, musician, children’s worker, and Bible teacher at several churches: South Fork Baptist Church in Lewisville, NC; Urban Street Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC; Sheets Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, NC; Calvary Baptist Church, in Gulfport, FL.

JoAnn was commissioned as a missionary alongside her husband to serve with Baptist Mid-Missions of Cleveland, OH, in July of 1967. As missionaries they founded and served at Havenhill Baptist Church, Kingston, Jamaica; Heritage Baptist Church, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; and Maranatha Baptist Church, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. She retired from active missionary service in December 2003.

JoAnn was well-known for her love of daily study and Bible teaching to women and young people. As a musician she recorded and sang solos and duets with her husband Dale, and led children’s choirs and youth choirs in the churches where they served together. She was also much sought after as a spiritual counselor by women struggling with various life issues. JoAnn was known among her family and friends as a prayer warrior, devoting many hours to praying for the specific needs of those in her church and beyond. Testimonies abound among those whose lives were touched or transformed when she prayed.

In addition to her parents, JoAnn is preceded in death by her brother E.L. Maner Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dale A. Loftis, her sister Shirley (Maner) Midkiff, her five children: Deborah Collins (Ken), Rev. Michael Loftis (Jo Beth), Dianna Nester (Brian), Rev. Tim Loftis (Tammy), and Rev. David Loftis (Carol), 21 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren.

Her family would like to express special thanks to the nurses and caregivers for their compassion and care, especially Transitions Hospice of Raleigh, NC.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on February 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM at Central Baptist Church, 11109 Poole Road, Wendell, NC 27591. Family will receive friends prior to the service at 6:00 PM in the Chapel (Building B).

The Funeral Service will be held on February 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Salem Baptist Church, 429 South Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Visitation will take place prior to the funeral beginning at 11:00 AM.

The services will be available to view via livestream.

CJ Loftis Celebration of Life Service, Friday February 25, 2022, 7:00 PM Eastern Time, Central Baptist Church, Wendell, NC

https://youtu.be/4OJYiPzaizw

CJ Loftis Funeral Service, Saturday February 26, 2022, 1:00 PM Eastern Time, Salem Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC

https://boxcast.tv/view/celebration-of-life-for-joann-loftis-rcbngbf85d7m2qw7p27o

JoAnn will be entombed at Forsyth Memorial Park in a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be received toward Havenhill Baptist Church, Kingston, Jamaica. Checks may be received at DNA Global Network, PO Box 60, Tyrone, GA 30290.