Joann Young Dow
Deaconess JoAnn Dow, 77, of Elliston, VA, went home to be with the Lord on August 31, 2026, after several years of illness. She was born on August 26, 1949, to the late Silas and Betty Robinson Young.
JoAnn accepted Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church Elliston. She loved her church deeply and served faithfully throughout her life. Over the years, she worked in many capacities, including Secretary Treasurer, Pastoral Committee, and Homecoming Committee. In her youth, she also sang in the choir. In addition to her church service, JoAnn volunteered at the Elliston Food Pantry until her health began to decline.
A proud 1967 graduate of Shawsville High School (Alleghany District High School), JoAnn later earned her degree from Montclair State University. In 1973, she married Weldon Dow and relocated to New Jersey. She returned to Elliston in 2003 and retired from the Veterans Hospital as an Accountant Supervisor in 2010.
JoAnn leaves to cherish her memory her sisters Faye (Bobby) Perkins of Chapel Hill, NC, and Linda Ferrell of Kernersville, NC; her brother Silas (Pat) Young of Stafford, VA; nieces Shaneque (Mark) Wofford of Chapel Hill, NC and Yvette (Tony) Trammell of Upper Marlboro, MD; nephews Jerome Ferrell of Winston-Salem, NC, Kristopher Perkins of Chapel Hill, NC, and Bobby (Kim) Perkins of Fayetteville, NC; and great-nephew Marley Wofford. She also leaves behind her devoted cousin Pat Wright; her loving caregiver Joy McMahan; and special friends Evelyn Dow and Rev. Vivian Simmons.
The family will receive guests on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 6 pm to 7 pm at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA.
Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Elliston First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, VA.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness shown during this difficult time. A special thank you to the First Baptist Elliston Church Family and Seneca Baptist Church for their prayers and support for JoAnn.
Tomorrow Author: David M. Romano When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say I know how much you loved me as much as I love you And each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand That an Angel came and called my name and took me by the hand And said my place was ready in heaven far above And that I have to leave behind All those I dearly love But when I walked through Heavens Gates, I felt so much at home, For God looked down and smiled at me, don't think we are far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart
