Joan was born on June 6th, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Myrtis and Jesse Thompson. She was one of six children - 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She grew up in Albany, Louisiana. At the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Darrel Jacobson. On May 12, 1956, they would get married after just a few weeks of dating and never looked back…when you know, you know! Joan and Darrel were married for 56 years and were blessed with four children Melody Lynn, Darla Kay, Darrel Scott and Harry Dean. Her family was the most important part of her life. Watching her children raise their families and becoming a grandmother and then a great-grandmother were precious moments for her.

Joan worked for and retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety from 1973 – 1998, where she made many lifelong friends whom she considered family. She could be described as a nurturer and provider. Those who knew her could always depend on her for advice on love and life, for her heart and door were always open. After she retired, she and Darrel enjoyed going on cruises together and spending time with family at their bay house in Sargent, Texas. She also enjoyed making frequent road trips back home to Livingston, LA, to visit her family. Joan loved cooking for her family no matter how big or small the crowd was, some of her most requested meals were El Reno burgers, Gumbo, Chicken and Dumplings and Potato soup; you never went home hungry.

Joan is survived by her children; Melody Cano and husband Juan of Midland, TX, Darla Rochell and husband Dave from Houston, Scott Jacobson and wife Penny of Gillette, WY, Dean Jacobson and wife Robin of Sealy, TX. Her eleven GRANDCHILDREN Chris Grant and his girlfriend Kelly King, Jason Grant, Erin Cano and fiancé Chris Ramirez, LeChaix Sellers and husband Davis, Misty York, Ashley Lillich and husband Justin, Cody Jacobson and fiancé Emma Brock, Chad Jacobson and wife Jessica, Lawton Jacobson, Amber Shupak and husband Cody, Austin Jacobson. Her twenty GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN Bella, Piper and Jocelyn Grant, Steven and Joey Norman, Avery, Brennah, Holden, Hayden Grant, Sarah Loukanis, Julie and Mitchell Mazur, Joseph and Addilynn York, Rush, Jonathan and Trevor Lillich, Cole Jacobson, Courtlynn and Colt Shupak and her beloved sisters Mary Jane Tate and husband Darrel and Sandy Thompson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Darrel, brothers George Thompson, Jesse Jr Thompson, and sister Betty Ann Hunt and sister-n-law Betty Hensel.