Joan Elizabeth Calhoun

Joan Elizabeth Calhoun was born February 22, 1942 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to her parents Helen Chapman Calhoun and Ernest Calhoun who adored her.  She was swarmed with attention from her elder sibling William Calhoun Sr, and younger brothers and sisters Robert A. Calhoun, James Hill, Velma Yarborough, Carol A. Crouch, and Lionel Calhoun.  Affectionately, addressed throughout her life as sister, aunt, mother, cousin and friend, Joan gave of herself fully in each important role.

On Monday, June 22, 2020 our loved one Joan Calhoun – Burton was called to be with her heavenly father after battling lingering illnesses.  She leaves behind countless memories with which are shared here. 

Joan attended the local schools of Atlantic City, New Jersey and after graduation she relocated to New York City which became her new residence for many years. Soon after taking residence she was employed as an Order Checker for the AMC Company of Manhattan.  Leaving the job after a few years she was bitten by that infamous “love bug”.   This young love bug Mr. Andrew Burton Jr. changed her future forever.  

However, just like other young couples trying to understand what love is there was a brief separation of sorts.  Joan was introduced to none other than the late James Brown, whose organization showed her the other side of life as she served as President of his fan club.  Joan wore this title as a badge of honor.

Shortly, Andrew and Joan reunited, and they married becoming a family with three offspring’s Richard, Veronica and Kendall.

In the interim she was an employee of the City of New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services as an Eligibility Specialist after initially working in the food stamp department.  Joan gave of herself as an employee there until a disability forced her to resign.

Joan enjoyed her hobbies such as watching game shows, going to live concerts, traveling / cruising and making sure everyone she cared for were comfortable, her parents, her children and all other family members.

In her later years, her biggest regret was not being able to spend enough time with family, who meant so much to her.  But her health, time and distance became a huge issue; please know nonetheless always that you were loved forever in her heart.

Joan shall be missed for as long as our imaginations can calculate in our own individual ways.  May her children find solace knowing they had one of the best mothers known to the world.  She loved them beyond belief.

Predeceased her in death her husband Andrew Burton Jr, her parents Ernest and Helen Calhoun, older brother William Calhoun Sr, younger brothers Robert A. Calhoun, James Hill and sister Carol A. Crouch.

Joan herself was the last of her maternal siblings to enter the pearly gates.

She leaves to mourn her children Richard A. Smith of Wagram NC, Veronica Calhoun - Williams of Warwick, NY and Kendall L. Burton of Aberdeen NC., grandchild Kalira Khrystal Bell of Warwick, NY., sister Velma Yarborough of Aberdeen NC, brother Lionel Calhoun of Queens NY, sisters-in-law Bertha Marie Haynes Burton of Somerset, NJ and Marlyn Hill of Atlantic City, NJ. and a host of family members inclusive of nieces, nephews and cousins.

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