Sandra Joanne Gunn died on February 22, 2025 in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Metter, Georgia on December 5, 1938, Joanne was the youngest child of Errett Fillmore Gunn and Helen Downing Gunn. The family moved to Savannah shortly after Joanne’s birth. Joanne attended Charles Ellis School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. During elementary and high school she studied piano with Mrs. Dorothy Murray. She became an exceptional pianist and enjoyed playing for her friends for the rest of her life.
Joanne attended Armstrong Junior College and graduated from University of Georgia in 1961, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. During that time she met Harold Griffin, whom she married in December 1960.
After college, Joanne taught in the Savannah public school system at Bartlett Junior High and at Jenkins High School. While at Jenkins, she was asked to teach the Spanish class even though she had only briefly studied the language. That experience led her to enroll in an intensive summer-long Spanish language immersion course in Mexico City, one of the influential experiences of her life.
In the mid-1960s and newly single, Joanne moved to Washington DC, and then to San Francisco, where she began a career in banking and mortgages. Returning to the DC metro area, she settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where she had a decades-long career in real estate. Joanne loved the history and political excitement of Washington DC. In 1976 she volunteered on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign in the Washington headquarters, including one evening assignment of babysitting for 9-year-old Amy Carter in a DC hotel.
In 2022 Joanne moved back to Savannah to be closer to her family.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings (Shirley Gunn Monroe and Robert Donald Gunn), two nephews (Bruce Monroe and Kirk Monroe), and many aunts and uncles, including Louise Downing Jones and Ethel Downing, with whom she was very close.
Joanne is survived by several cousins including Diane Roberts, Karen Porter, Robert Jones (Delight) and Patti Jones Schacht, with whom she shared an exceptionally close and loving relationship. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews: Roberta Monroe Ellis (Greg), Robin Wright Gunn, Heyward Gunn Kreutzer (Justin), Errett “Rett” Gunn, and Matthew Gunn (Jessica); six great-nieces and great-nephews, and many extended family members.
The family thanks the friends and caregivers who assisted with Joanne’s care, especially Susan O’Brien, Karrina Brown, Kathy Pond, John Ewaldsen, The Social of Savannah, Dr. Kurt Kang and staff, Dr. Matt Rosenthal and staff, Abercorn Rehabilitation, and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 3, 10:00am, Greenwich Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd., Savannah.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: Georgia Legal Services Program, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 203, Savannah, GA 31405.
Offer Condolence for the family of Sandra Joanne Gunn
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Maybess Z. Disher
Joanne was my best friend while in Savannah high school and Armstrong College.
We were inseparable and very close for many years. She was Maid of Honor in my wedding and I cut the cake and served at her wedding. Memories of best friends never die. She will always be with me in my heart.
Sandra Alley
My sincere condolences and prayers go out to Joanne’s family. We did not meet until after we both moved to Alexandria-and finding out we were both UGA Dawgs made us instant friends, We had many good times in Alexandria. God bless.
Anne H Horstman
I am saddened to read this obituary…..I met Joanne when we moved to Alexandria, VA….our connection to Savannah let to a wonderful friendship through the years, along with our mutual friend, Melinda Deriso. Joanne worked with us to buy a house in Alexandria, sell that house, and buy a new house being built in Leesburg, VA. She was a delightful and entertaining friend.
My deepest sympathy to her family.
Anne Horstman
Madison, GA
Linda Brabham MacMillan
She was Mrs. Griffin to me in junior high at Bartlett in 1962 and a very special teacher. She was always dressed so neat and was a very kind and admired teacher. I am sorry for your loss.