Joann H. Flinchum

In the early morning hours of  May 15th, our Mom passed peacefully into the presence of God.

Joann was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, James L. Flinchum.  She is survived by her children, J. Michael Flinchum (Marcia) and Sherry Koberstein (Mike); her grandchildren, Rhiann, Rebecca (Scott), Kristen, James (Melissa) and Kaitlyn; her great-grandchildren, Caleb, Elise, and Annette; and by her dear friend, Sally Miller.

Joann grew up as an only child of Hubbard and Velma Heath, in a small rural area between Shawnee and Seminole, Oklahoma. When Joann was 5 years old her mother entered her in 1st grade at Prairie View Elementary School.  Then in the 7th grade she transferred to Varnum High School.  There she met a tall, thin boy named Jim Flinchum.  They got to know each other and dated a little in their senior year.  In 1943 at the age of 16, she graduated high school in a class of just 9 students, including Jim.  Unfortunately, the nation was at war during this time.  Jim quickly joined the Navy when he got out of high school and left to go serve his country. Joann went to Oklahoma Baptist University for two years. After the war ended, Jim came home and proposed to Joann in 1946, and they were married shortly after on June 7, 1946. In 1948 they had their first child, (James) Michael, and their second child, Sherry, arrived in 1952. The family soon moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Jim quickly found work as a carpenter, and Joann eventually began work at Sandia Labs, starting out in the typing pool.  She advanced to the purchasing department and then to working on the new revolutionary computer of the time, a CDC 1600 computer using IBM cards. She worked there for 15 years and really enjoyed the work. In 1971, Joann left Sandia Labs, and she and Jim started the Flinchum Construction Company. Her years of clerical work served her well as a fundamental partner in the business. In 1998, after 27 years of hard work and success, Jim and Joann sold their business to retire.  Through the years Joann and Jim were very active in their churches, which included Parkview Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Tijeras, and Eastern Hills Baptist Church.  In 1976 Joann joined a few others from Parkview and went on her first mission trip to El Salvador with International Crusades. In 1978 Jim joined with Joann in short-term mission trips that took them all over the world.  By the time of Jim’s death in 2001, they had completed 47 trips together.  Joann’s strong Christian faith sustained her through many challenges in life. She was passionate about sharing the Gospel. She continued to go on mission trips until her health began to fail at age 84.  Joann had many friends. She will be remembered for her love for God, for her family, for ministry (especially her missions trips) and her love of work.  And she loved a good joke.  She will be missed.

The family would like to thank Brookdale on Juan Tabo and High Desert Hospice for their excellent care of Mom.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, 11:00 a.m., at Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3100 Morris St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.

Interment will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma.