Obituary: Joan Crawford Henry Picou
Lovely Joan Crawford Henry Picou entered paradise on September 2, 2013 after losing her battle with cancer. She was born on November 27, 1932 in Sherman, Texas, to James Norvel (J.N.) Henry and Catherine (Odie) Pierce Henry.
In 1951, Joan met and fell in love with, Herbert Picou, of Maurepas, Louisiana and attended Louisiana State School for the Deaf. It was love at first sight. Herbert was playing basketball for his Baton Rouge team in the Southwest Athletic Association of the Deaf Tournament at the State Fair in Dallas and Joan was there as a spectator. They met and were insparable for the two day tournament ad then parted ways when each had to go back to their homes. Herbert proposed in a letter and she accepted.
A month later, without her parents having any idea of what she was doing, she returned to Dallas from train station and walked hand to hand across the street of the Old Red Courthouse of Dallas County to obtain their marriage license. The county clerk discovered that Herbert was a minor and needed his parents' consent. Herbert talked the clerk out of the consent requirement, using the argument that he was from Louisiana and was of age according to Louisiana law so the clerk went ahead and issued the marriage license. They walked across the hall to the Justice of peace and got married. After the wedding, they immediately left and headed back to Louisiana. Herbert was 20 years old and Joan was 18. They resided in Rayne, Louisiana where he was employed as a printer before moving to Texas in 1951. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary on April 14, 2013.
We will miss Joan who was also known as our darling lady of the Deaf community whom everyone called 'Mother Joan." She was a natural-born charmer and encourager, a friend and a role model to many. She modeled acceptanace of others and unfailing love and loyalty to them. Her motto was "Keep the Deaf Community Going Strong…and yourself."
Joan was chairlady of the most successful National Deaf Women's Bowling Association Tournament in Dallas in 1980.
She had been a life-long member of Dallas Association of the Deaf since 1973. D.A.D. awarded ger a life-time membership for her devotion, volunteer work and support. She participated in numerous social activities within Deaf organizations.
She was a Charter member of the Dal-Tar Deaf Lioness Club.
She was a TV hostess for "Sign of Times" on Channel 13 from 1978 to 1980.
She was a member of North Texas Deaf Senior Citizens which it was created in 1908.
She was in the leadership of the Tejas Deaf Senior Citizens Club under the banner of Dallas Association of the Deaf.
She retired from the Liberty Mutual Insurance after 22 years of service.
Joan is preceded in death by parents James Norvel (J.N.) Henry and Catherine (Odie) Pierce Henry.
Joan is survived by her husband Herbert Picou; a son, James Henry Picou of Dallas; a daughter, Linda Catherine King and her husband George of Cross Roads; and a daughter, Lizabeth Ann Picou-Sansom and her husband Rolando of Denton; 6 grand-children, 13 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; her special Aunt Gloy Henry of Dension, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the Picou family has requested you make contributions to Dallas Community Center for the Deaf, 4215 Maple Ave., Dallas, Texas 75219 (non-profit organization) in memory of Joan Picou.
Visitation will be 2 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2013 with a Memorial service following at 3 p.m. in the Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation
Saturday, September 07, 2013
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Grove Hill Funeral Home
3920 Samuell Blvd
Dallas, Texas 75228
(214) 388-8887
Memorial Service
Saturday, September 07, 2013
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Grove Hill Funeral Home
3920 Samuell Blvd
Dallas, Texas 75228
(214) 388-8887
SOURCE: