Mrs. Joan Early's Obituary
Joan Jarvis Early, Dynamic woman and Matriarch of the Early family, entered eternal rest on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Joan was born on August 27, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to David Best and Ida Jarvis. Woodville, Mississippi cemented her roots, with love and rearing by her grandmother, Hattie Vaughn. While family, friends, and animals provided love, Joan’s adventures began with books. A student of the written word, Joan visited several worlds with each book she read. Books would become a gateway to her life’s passion: writing.
While raising her firstborn, Jeffery, Joan moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans would become the backdrop for professional growth, and for meeting the love of her life. Joan met Ezzard Dale Early in the fall of 1977, beginning a love story that spanned 47 years.
Joan and Dale settled in Houston shortly after marrying. As Dale built his career in the automotive industry, Joan continued her career in mortgage banking, becoming the most decorated and highest paid loan officer in the city. In the midst of a successful career, Joan gave birth to her daughter, Ashley.
Joan loved her career, but writing called to her like nothing else could. In the late 90s, she turned to her first love. By 2003, she entered a literary contest in Ebony Magazine—and won first prize. That event was the catalyst for her to immerse herself fully in writing. The result was over ten published works.
Joan was every bit the renaissance woman. She could cook like a Michelin-star chef. She could decorate a home like a pro. But her renaissance was best defined by the love of her family and close friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, grandmother, brothers Ronald and Butch Jarvis, and her sister, Terry Daniels. In addition to her husband and children, she leaves a legacy of love cultivated by her granddaughter, Devon Jarvis, great-grandson Kamron Sadler, her bonus son, Joshua Meadows and her siblings Jeffery and Vanessa Jarvis.
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