Joanne Sebastian Utz

Services for Joanne Sebastian Utz, 75, Flint, were Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Johnny Beard and Pastor Donald R. Hampton officiating. Burial followed in the Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Joanne passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3 at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.

Joanne was born June 14, 1931 in Marshall to the late Alton Edward and Alice Bernice Sebastian. She was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church.

Joanne lived in the East Texas area most of her life and graduated from both Tyler High School and then from Tyler Junior College. TJC is where she received her associate's degree and supported her school as an Apache Belle. Joanne was an accomplished artist displaying in New York and throughout East Texas and receiving numerous awards for her work. Mostly, Joanne was a committed Christian, who was devoted to her family as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband, William (Bill) Utz.

Joanne is survived by her loving family including her two sons, Jim Utz of Tyler and Alan Utz and wife Kamla of Tyler; four grandchildren, Melinda, Zachary, Megan and Matthew Utz; two greatgrandchildren, William and Cassie Bush; and one brother, Ed Sebastian and his wife Georgetta of Tyler.

Pallbearers were Don Sebastian, Dave Sebastian, Thomas Utz, Johnny Hammons, Rod Craig and Elvin "Punkin" Utz. Honorary pallbearers were Toby Utz and Bazil Couch.

Memorials in honor of Joanne may be made to a church/charity of your choice.