Joan Peppers Ables

Joan Peppers Ables, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Troy Township, Ohio. She was born in Chattanooga on November 28, 1931, to the late Vardy Lee and Pearl Esther (Morgan) Peppers. She studied art at Berea College, Kentucky, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In her later years she was a member of Wayne Wu’s watercolor group at The Hunter Museum of American Art and remained an active artist until her death. She also enjoyed the art of cooking. A former resident of East Ridge, she resided in Hixson until the age of 89 before relocating to rural Ohio to live with her daughter. Joan’s life was dedicated to her family, to the love of God and to sharing His grace within her family and community, and expressing that love and grace through her art to the world. 

She was preceded in death by husband James Walter Ables, daughter Debra Leigh Ables, daughter Jama Lynne Ables, son-in-law Mark Galloway Stone, sister Wilma Lee Adams, brother Ronald Delano Peppers, sister Betty Joyce Peppers Aslinger, nephew Brian Kevin Aslinger, niece Sherry Denise Aslinger, one sister-in-law in the Peppers family, and seven beloved brothers and sisters-in-law in the Ables family. 

She will be sadly missed by daughter Lisa Joy Ables Stone; grandchildren Amanda Crowe (Brian), Alex Thompson, Shawna Hudgins, Jared Pickett (Matthew Reynolds), Bethany Ables; greatgrandchildren Weston Hudgins, Willow Hudgins, Taylor Crowe; nieces Jane Copley, Louise Lucas, Rhonda Stair; nephews Ronald Darrell Peppers, Gregory Lee Peppers, and Richard Duran Peppers; sisters-in-law Patty Ann Kelly, Jo Ellen Hendrickson, Phyllis Ables; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Friday, August 2, at 2:00 p.m., family and friends will gather at the Cemetery Chapel, Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tennessee 37343. A graveside service follows at 3:00 p.m. At this time the family will also enter the ashes of Debra and Jama; their friends are invited to join the family in celebrating their lives. Pastor Ernie Reno will be officiating the services.

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