JoAnn Baker Toole, 81, passed away at 6:40 pm, Tuesday, December 18, 2018 in Marshall after a brief illness. She was born in Gladewater, Texas on August 1, 1937. She graduated from Longview High School and was a proud member of the Longview High School Band where she was named band sweetheart her senior year. She attended Kilgore Junior College and then graduated from North Texas University in 1959 with a B.S. degree in Physical Education.

Joe and JoAnn Toole were married June 6, 1959 and celebrated their fiftieth anniversary before his death. She was a physical education teacher and coach at Marshall ISD. She initiated a hunter safety program and certified many of her students. JoAnn is remembered fondly by the many students she taught in Marshall Public Schools. She began a second career for some ten years as a Texas Parks and Wildlife assistant at the historical Starr Family Home in Marshall. It was she that brought the historical home local and regional recognition by hosting Christmas and Valentine dinners as well as weddings. She attended Second Baptist Church of Marshall. She will always be remembered with her smiling face by her family and friends and, of course, as the woman that had Walter, the alligator, living in her backyard!

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband Joe Toole and her parents, Joe and Elizabeth Baker.

She is survived by daughter Tammy Rhodes and husband Ron of Longview; daughter, Kathy Bell of Marshall; son Ben Toole of Wenatchee, WA; eight grandsons, Brett Rhodes, Scott Rhodes, Christian Sarran, Harrison Sarran, Jordan Sarran, Ryan Sarran, Zane Toole and Fox Toole; one granddaughter Bethany Bell. She is also survived by one sister, Margaret Rhodes and husband, Andy of Irving and nephew, Mike Rhodes and nieces, Marla Minter and Amanda Moilan.