JoAnn Stratton Horak
10/24/1939 - 6/25/2021

JoAnn Stratton Horak was born on October 24, 1939, to Celestine Schuster and Samuel Denham Stratton in Austin, Texas. She passed away on June 25, 2021, surrounded by her loving daughters in Dallas, Texas. JoAnn graduated in 1957 from Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas. She attended Southern Methodist University and graduated from there in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduation, JoAnn took up the profession of teaching and taught both first and fourth grades at Jane Long Elementary School in Freeport, Texas. In October of 1967, JoAnn married Marvin Daniel Horak at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport, Texas. JoAnn was a sixth generation Texan and direct descendent of Emily Austin, sister to Stephen F. Austin, and a member of the Old 300, representing the original 300 families brought to settle Texas. She was an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Cradle of Texas Chapter, member and past President of the Brazosport Community Hospital Auxiliary, past President of the friends of the Freeport Public Library, and member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She served on the board of the Schuster House Corporation, the historic home of her grandmother that was built in 1917, the same year the city of Freeport was incorporated and today serves as a museum of family life during the founding of Freeport. She was also an active part of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church where she was a member of the altar society, taught Catholic educational classes and played the organ at mass. She was a loving and engaged mother who taught her three daughters about volunteerism, philanthropy and giving back. She lived and expected her daughters to live by the quote: "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". JoAnn happily chauffeured her daughters to years of piano, oboe, ballet, gymnastics, and art lessons. Always the PTA room mother, Girl Scout Cookie mom and such. She was involved. JoAnn was strong, resilient, and determined and never shied away from the difficult. She loved animals and indulged her daughters with fish, cockatiels, hamsters, cats, and dogs. She had a passion for reading, old Hollywood movies and spending time with her family and friends over a good jigsaw puzzle. She will always be remembered for her kindness, consideration, generous spirit and ready smile. JoAnn is survived by her daughter Lynn McBee and her husband Allan of Dallas and daughter Kimberly Casey and her husband Brian of Austin. Granddaughters, Emmie Stratton Casey and Eloise Denham Casey of Austin. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marvin Daniel Horak and daughter Shelley Ann Graham. Thank you to our many friends who have given us so much love and support. The funeral is scheduled for 10:00am on Tuesday, July 6th, 2021, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport, Texas followed by the burial at Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones Creek, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Schuster Home Museum/Brazos Historical Society, 115 Brazos Landing Court, Freeport, Texas 77541 or the charity of your choice.

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