Joann Hoag Irby

Maggie Valley, Joann Estes Hoag Irby, age 91, peacefully passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023 at her summer home in Maggie Valley, NC.

A native of Davenport, Florida, Joann was a daughter of William Hoag and Gladys Estes Hoag.  She was also preceded in death by her dear husband, Milton Wade Irby, who died in 1991; sister, Barbara Starken; and niece, Joann Barnard.

Creating a happy home and raising her children was her life’s biggest accomplishment.  A proud member of Davenport United Methodist Church, Joann was pleased to live a long life to see the generations grow and thrive.  She was a natural caregiver and was known to have the patience of Job when tending to children.

She is survived by her four beloved children; daughters, Marian Stevens (Johnny) of Hopkinsville, KY, and Barbara Williams (Steve) of Port Charlotte, FL; sons, Milton Irby of Lake Alfred, FL and Mark Irby (Nicole) of Winter Haven, FL; niece, Sandra Sampson; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in the Chapel at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, Florida.  Burial will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood Hospice, 13 Haywood Park Office, Suite 107, Waynesville, NC 28785 or Calvary Road Baptist Church, 2701 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751.

The care of Mrs. Irby has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.