Mrs. Betty Joanne Vickery, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday, January 15, 2026, at Regency Park Health & Rehabilitation.

Joanne was born November 22, 1936, in Greenwood, South Carolina, the oldest child and the last surviving child of Otis Lindon and Mattie Sue Henderson Brownlee. Though she carried the title of "oldest," she also carried the bittersweet honor of being the final remaining sibling, and with her trademark wit, she would often say, "Only the good die young."

Joanne was extremely independent, and you never had to wonder where you stood with her—she was honest, direct, and steadfast in who she was. She loved her family and friends deeply, and her heart for others extended into the community she cared for so much.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Oscar Vickery, Jr.; an infant son, David Alan Kennedy; sister, Nancy Turner; and brothers, Harold Lindon "Buddy" Brownlee, Frances Brownlee, and James Lamar "Jimmy" Brownlee.

Joanne was a 1954 graduate of Blackville High School in Blackville, SC. She worked many years in Human Resources and was retired from the Dalton Daily Citizen News. She was a proud lifelong member of Beta Sigma Phi, a non-collegiate sorority founded in 1931 for women's social, cultural, and civic enrichment, known as "The Friendship Organization," focusing on lifelong learning, fellowship, and local service.

She was also very active with the Dalton-Whitfield Senior Center, where she enjoyed spending time with friends and loved playing cards and dominos.

Joanne is survived by her daughters, Kim and Michael Bailey of Dalton, GA, Terri Kennedy and Jack Powell of St. Petersburg, FL, Vicki and Bruce Holman of Acworth, GA, and Leanne Watkins of Dalton, GA; sons, Michael and Lisa Vickery, and Mark and Holly Vickery all of Dalton, GA; sister-in-law, Delia "Dede" Brownlee of Greenwood, SC; brother David Brownlee and family of Chatsworth GA;   grandchildren, Amanda and Andy Brock, Mikayla and Christian Maile, Eli and Sam Vickery, Jacob and Jenna Vickery, Amanda and J.R. Foster, Ashleigh Watkins, and Ashlee Bailey; great-grandchild, Opal May Vaughn; and several nieces and nephews.

A drop-by visitation to celebrate the life of Mrs. Joanne Vickery will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Dalton-Whitfield Senior Center, 302 Cappes St., Dalton, GA 30720.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dalton-Whitfield Senior Center or to Hamilton Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721. For more information, please visit www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org.