Our Momma, JoAnne Lynne Artis Toledo-Warthen, went to Heaven while peacefully sleeping on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. She was born on November 26, 1956, to John and Louise Artis in Guam, USA. She played the flute in the school band and graduated from Lompoc High School in 1974. She married Carlos Toledo and had two daughters Chanel Toledo of Lompoc, CA & Chanina Toledo-Courtney (Dontiay) of Henderson, NV. Then later she re-married and had her youngest daughter, Sjohnai Warthen (Andy) of Henderson, CA.
Mom was active in her local churches by serving as Secretary and Usher, in the Choir, Women's Missionary Society, and using her talents to the decorate bulletin boards. She was also an active member of the Club Arcturus serving a term as the Secretary, producing newsletters, and setting up some of the first Black History Displays at the Lompoc Library. Mom loved to make things "pretty" for all occasions or for no reason at all…she was a true crafter…trash to treasures, food, interior design, parties, keepsakes, floral arrangements and Love Baskets.
Some of our fond memories of mom is how she would hold us in her arms like little babies even as adults. How she celebrated life "just because" by making little cakes with the grandbabies for a picnic, singing happy birthday over and over again when it wasn't even their birthdays. Playing with us in the rain in our bathing suits and continuing the tradition with the grandchildren. Playing "hookie" from work and pulling us out of school just to be with us for fun trips to the movies, beach and mall. Us dancing, singing and cooking together in the kitchen…Anything mom cooked was good, although she did go through a spell of burning the chicken. Lol. Her making us laugh when we were sad, like when she tried to skip and made up a cheerleading routine. She always had something waiting for us when we came home from school, work or a visit. We always knew we had been missed and were welcomed home. Spending hours in the craft store with her. Receiving cards in the mail and notes around the house saying she loved us and was proud of us.
Some of Mom's favorite sayings were: "Whatever you do, do it with Love," "Just keep on livin," "Eat something good for me," and "A good deed or word may pass in a moment's time but the love and sincerity behind it lasts in the heart forever."
Momma raised us girls with lots of love and taught us the love of God, importance of family and beauty in the simple things. She shared that love with her grandbabies as well (Joci, Ani, Zahir, Aliyah, Jordan and K.C.) We are comforted at this time, just knowing she loved us tremendously and she knew we loved her!
Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 11:00am at Crossroads Church located at 412 North "B" Street, Lompoc, California.