Mrs. Joan Deavours Cordell, age 94, of Americus, GA, died May 3, 2026, at home surrounded

by friends and family.

Mrs. Cordell was born on November 8, 1931, in Leslie, GA, to the late Loomis E. and Vera

Wallace Deavours. She graduated in 1948 from Union High School in Leslie, GA. Mrs. Joan

attended Georgia Southwestern (Junior) College in Americus, GA and Bessie Tift College in

1951 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies. She went on to earn a master’s

degree in elementary education from Women’s College of Georgia (now Georgia College) in

Milledgeville. She began teaching at Thalean School, at Anthony School and she ended up

teaching in the Sumter County School System. Later, she earned her certification in supervision

from UGA. She retired in 1983 after 31 years in education.

On June 28, 1953, she married John E. Cordell, Jr. from Americus, GA. She was a member of

Central Baptist Church in Americus for over 75 years. Mrs. Joan was a long-time member of the

Delta Kapp Gamma Society, a professional honorary organization of women educators, where

she was president at the state level from 1975 to 1977. She also was an active volunteer in the

Americus Pilot Club. She is a past president of the Sumter County Education Association of

Retired Teachers. In 1987 she began volunteering with Sumter Regional Hospital (now Phoebe

Sumter) and did numerous volunteer services there for over 30 years. She also taught Sunday

School at her church, at Magnolia Manor and at Perfect Care. In December 2017 Mrs. Joan was

awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Sanford Bishop,

as well as a Proclamation from the City of Americus, signed by the mayor, honoring her for her

years of service to the community.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Jane Bass, Mary Owens, June

Worsham and Joy Touchton; brothers, Wallace H. Laramore, and Loomis E. (Sonny) Deavours

Jr. Survivors include her husband John E. Cordell, Jr, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces

and great nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Sunset Memorial

Gardens in Americus, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 1:00

p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Greg Hancock Funeral Home in Americus, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Central Baptist Church, 190 Upper River

Road, Americus, GA 3109, Leslie Baptist Church, 106 S Bailey Ave, Leslie, GA 31764 and the

Delta Kappa Gamma Society, DKG/G50, Kathy Brown, P.O. Box 29, Sharpsburg, GA 30277