Joan Elizabeth Dozier Gerber, passed away with family at her side after a brief battle with lung cancer on March 1st, 2018 at the age of 85. She is predeceased by her husband Ernest Gerber, father William H. Dozier, mother Bertha Dohn Dozier, and her brother William (Billy) Dozier, Jr.
Joan is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter Traci Gerber, son Terry Gerber (wife Kathryn), grandchildren Megan, Sara, and Benjamin Gerber, and her brothers Henry and Lester Dozier. Joan was born in Macon, GA in September 1932.
She graduated from A.L. Miller High School for Girls in June 1950 and went on to graduate in 1954 from the University of Georgia, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. She was frequently on the Dean's List and was a member of academic honor societies Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Beta Phi. Joan began her professional career as a civil servant for the Social Security Administration from 1955 1967.In 1961 she married the love of her life, Ernest Gerber at Mulberry Street Methodist Church in Macon, GA. Her husband's profession, aviation maintenance and sales, relocated them briefly to Oklahoma City before it brought them to Miami where they settled permanently and raised a family. Joan worked for H&R Block from 1980 to 2017as a tax preparer, tax advisor, and office manager. During the 2005 tax season, she earned a "Walking Textbook Award". Additionally, she was an Enrolled Agent with the IRS and held many Certified Financial Planner certifications. Joan enjoyed a great passion for culture and the arts, regularly attending theatrical performances and art shows. She was a member of the Eastern Airlines Orchid Club, Pan American, and South Florida Orchid Societies. Joan will be laid to rest in a family plot in her home town of Macon, GA.
A graveside service will be held at Macon Memorial Park, 3969 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 17th with the Rev. Paul Dziadul officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the following organizations in the name of Joan D. Gerber: American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, 1200 Hosford Street, #101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316 http://www.lung.org/ or the American Orchid Society, PO Box 565477, Miami, FL33256-5477https://secure.aos.org/donate/default.aspx.
Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.
Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.