Joan Yarbrough Gresham

Joan Yarbrough Gresham expired at home in Shreveport, LA after a brief illness. Descended from a pioneer North Louisiana family, she was the daughter of John Burns and Sadie V. Johnston Yarbrough and was born February 16, 1927 in Shreveport. She attended Pleasant Hall School, C.E. Byrd High School, and was graduated from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge in 1947, with a major in journalism. She married Thomas A. Gresham in 1948 and lived in Lake Charles, LA until moving to Shreveport in 1959. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta social sorority, Shreveport Junior League, Shreveport Club, Shreveport Bridge Association and St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral. She was a member of the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a certified instructor in Primary Aerobics specializing in senior fitness classes. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Thomas Austin Gresham. She is survived by two daughters, Christine Gresham Hightower and husband, Steve of Florida and Oregon, Joan Elizabeth (Betsy) Gresham Andrus and husband, Mark of Lafayette, LA and grandchildren, Paul Gresham Hightower and wife, Alex, Scott Morgan Andrus, and Christine Marshall Andrus. Memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or charity of donor's choice.