Joann Delph

JoAnn Elizabeth Delph was born JoAnn Grider on April 7, 1944, in Denver, Colorado to the late Ernestine V. Forrest and Fred Forrest, Jr.  She was the second child born to her loving parents and sister to four younger siblings.  Her brothers Calvin Forrest, Dennis Forrest, and her sisters Marcella Hammons and Sandra Forrest.

As a child she was described as an eager learner and social butterfly.  At a young age, she took interest in helping others and assisted her mother around the home. Some of her favorite things were going to the movies, sharing babe ruth candy bars with her sister, playing hot scotch and rushing home from school to watch American Bandstand.  Her unforgettable moment was when she received a record player from her father for her 16th birthday which is still in her family home. She also accepted Christ at an early age and attended church and vocational bible school during the summers.  She loved to sing.

JoAnn graduated from Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1962 and participated in the homemaking and library clubs, and she was a student office assistant.  After she completed high school, she started her nursing career at Earl Nursing Home in Omaha Nebraska. During her employment at Earl Nursing Home, JoAnn met the love of her life Robert Edward Delph and they married on June 28, 1963.  She gave birth to her first daughter, Kristel, and she and Robert moved to Denver, Colorado.  Two years later, she had two additional children, Brian and Kelly. The family settled in Denver, Colorado and JoAnn and Robert remained married until her death.

By profession, JoAnn continued to pursue a career in the nursing field.  She worked at National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado and then went on to work over 30 years for the City and County of Denver at Denver General Hospital (now Denver Health) as an EKG Technician.  She was promoted to supervision where she retired in 2001.

JoAnn and Robert shared their lives serving the Lord. They were faithful members at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado and later joined King Baptist Church of Denver, Colorado.  She served on several committees and was a member of King Baptist Church Mass Choir and the Intercessory Prayer Ministry. She committed to serving in officer positions and was President of the Women’s Ministry where she received King Baptist Church prestigious “Women of the Year” award.

In her leisure time, her hobbies consisted of shopping, traveling, and attending Jazzercize or water aerobics classes. She also enjoyed fishing with her husband, supporting her children and grandchildren in all their activities (track & field, baseball, and football).  She was always excited about birthday dinners with her sisters and sister-in-law and enjoyed socializing with her friends.  At home, she loved cooking, Sunday dinners, reading and planting.

JoAnn departed from this life on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the age of 78. She is preceded in death by her mother, Ernestine V. Forrest; and her father, Fred Forrest Jr; and her older brother, Louis Grider Jr.

The memory of her life will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who loved her. Those left to cherish her and mourn her memory includes her husband of 59 years, Robert Edward Delph; 2 daughters, Kristel R. Jefferson (Eric Jefferson); Kelly M. Delph; her son, Brian E. Delph; 3 grandsons, Michael D. Jefferson Christopher Jefferson, David Jefferson; 1 Goddaughter, Nicole Ann Fisher. Two sisters, Marcella V. Hammons (Reginald Hammons, Sr.), Sandra L. Forrest; two brothers, Calvin B. Forrest, Dennis E. Forrest; 1 sister-in-law, Bennette J.Rowlette; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.