Happy Birthday...

Today, March 8, would've been her 82nd birthday on this earth. We miss her so much...

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of JoAnn Bachman

Here's a link to the Memorial Service celebrating the life and legacy of JoAnn Bachman. The service was held on Sunday, January 21, 2 p.m., at College Park Worship Center in Greenville, SC.

A Life Well Lived...

She has answered to so many names over the years...JoAnn...Sister Bachman...Mom..."Aunt Jo"...Mama Jo...Nana. She ministered tirelessly, served relentlessly, and loved as deeply as anyone ever has. She was the heartbeat of our family...and she graduated to her Heavenly Home at 5pm on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. She was 81 years old.

JoAnn with her brother Bobby

Mattie JoAnn Johnston came into the world in Lee County, Alabama on March 8, 1936. Her Dad's work soon moved their family to Newport News, Virginia, where he toiled in the shipyards, helping build Naval vessels during World War II. Several years later the Johnstons returned to Phenix City, Alabama, where JoAnn would spend her formative years. Her Daddy had died tragically when she was just thirteen, an event that created an especially strong bond between JoAnn and her mother, Annie-Lee Johnston. 

JoAnn (L) and Glenda

Relationships were forged in Phenix City that became life-long friendships. Glenda Andrews was one of the Pastor's daughters at the local Assembly of God church; JoAnn and Glenda became inseparable. Glenda's father, Emory Andrews, was not only JoAnn's pastor but became somewhat of a stand-in father as well. Glenda's mother, Mamie, modeled the role of a Pastor's wife in ways that left an indelible impression on JoAnn. Emory and Mamie Andrews' influence on JoAnn was foundational in shaping the person that she would become. A few years down the road, JoAnn married Fred and Glenda married Vic. The foursome would be fast friends for the rest of their lives. But I'm getting a little ahead of the story.

L-R: Vic & Glenda Lyerla, JoAnn & Fred Bachman

In 1961 a young single evangelist came to preach a revival at Girard Assembly of God church in Phenix City, Alabama. When JoAnn walked into one of the services a few minutes late, Fred Bachman noticed her from his seat on the platform. The Holy Spirit spoke to him and said, "She is going to be your wife." Well, JoAnn needed a little convincing...but eventually that's exactly what happened. 

Wedding Day!

Fred and JoAnn were married on August 26, 1961. Two sons were quickly conceived and delivered, and Fred soon resigned a position as purchasing agent for a steel company in order to return to full-time ministry. Fred and JoAnn would care for "flocks" in Eufaula and Evergreen, Alabama, before returning home to pastor the church where they met and married - Girard Assembly of God in Phenix City. During those years JoAnn endeared herself to those congregations, building relationships and deep friendships that would span decades. 

Eufaula, Evergreen and Phenix City

A third son came along in 1969, and it was during the family's time in Eufaula that JoAnn would begin to plant seeds in her sons that would result in a harvest just a few short years down the road. She would play the family's upright piano - the one her Daddy had given to her when she was a little girl - and her boys would sing along...and, eventually, play along with her. She noticed that they had an ear for music, and she encouraged them to develop their gifts. Several years down the road, JoAnn wasn't sure at first about all of that "Christian rock" stuff that her sons were so into. But she knew our hearts. And she quickly became our biggest cheerleader. 

In the Holy Land

While they were pastoring First Assembly of God in Eufaula, Alabama, Fred and JoAnn went on a trip to the Holy Land. God revealed His plan to JoAnn for a future season of ministry while on that journey. She found herself surrounded by children and she sensed an intense desire to be able to share Jesus with them...but she was frustrated because she could not speak their language. 

At that point, the Holy Spirit said to her, "What about the boys and girls in your city back home who do speak your language and can understand every word you say? Would you be willing to reach them?" 

"Aunt Jo"

The result was a focus for JoAnn on children's ministry, first as Children's Pastor in the couple's pastorates, and then as the family's main ministry during seven+ years on the road. Aunt Jo & Her Helpers crisscrossed the United States and beyond, ministering in 35 states and Canada during those seven years. 

L-R: Granny, Uncle Fritz and Aunt Jo

Aunt Jo played the "straight man" to Uncle Fritz's zany antics. There were puppets, music, giving and Scripture contests, a Bible quiz, and much more. But the ministry climax of every evening was the story told by Aunt Jo. As a result of that ministry, literally tens of thousands of boys and girls were born into the Kingdom of God.

On the road (L-R): Fred, JoAnn, Tim, Nugget, Scott & Drue 

The family eventually settled in Upstate South Carolina where Fred and JoAnn were called upon to be the founding pastors of a new, Spirit-led fellowship. 

The Living Praise years

It was during this time that JoAnn set a new standard for Pastor's wives everywhere - not out of ambition or a quest for recognition, but because she simply loved people. She spent countless hours on the telephone, counseling and praying with people; and she demonstrated an ever-present willingness to stand at her husband's side as the Lord was continually expanding the ministry and leading in new directions, whether as the director of a Childcare Center or Healing Ministry, or a participant on missions trips to the other side of the world. 

Fred and JoAnn praying for the sick in Lithuania

Her love for people was genuine. It was real. She quickly forgave and forgot slights and mistreatment, and always focused on the best in people. Never one to keep "a record of wrongs," if JoAnn was your friend, she was your friend for life. She was such a patient listener. Her advice was wise and came without strings attached. Many times she gave me a shoulder to cry on when I had made a mess of things...and she never said, "I told you so." When told "I love you," she would often reply, "I love you more." And it was true.

(L-R): Kerrington, Paul-David, Papa, Bethani, Nana, Annie, Brooke, & Montgomery

The passing years brought daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Now, this is where JoAnn really showed out. The bond between Nana and her grandkids was something I can't even really put into words. She loved to tell them her legendary stories, stimulate their imaginations and creativity, cook their favorite foods, play "Sorry" with them, and take them on trips. Christmas Eve at Nana's house was especially magical, and she absolutely loved having a house full of grandkids each and every time we were blessed with a snowfall. But most importantly, she made each of them feel like the most important person in her universe. She loved them hard and deep. And they loved her back the same way. 

Clockwise, beginning top left: Nana with Paul-David, Bethani, Annie and Brooke

Speaking of her stories...if you're reading this, no doubt you've heard several of them yourself. She could entertain and amaze with detailed stories from her early life that never failed to bring a smile. She was a walking history book of sorts. Friends, family and every doctor and nurse she ever had spent a fair share of their time listening to Nana's stories.

JoAnn loved find-a-word puzzles, raw oysters, and Wheel of Fortune. She was also famous among her family for her culinary creations. Christmas meant steak and shrimp on Christmas Eve, Oreo cookie cake, Mexican wedding cookies, date nut balls, coconut and carrot cakes, and her special Christmas punch. Over the years, we enjoyed her Swiss steak, porcupine meatballs, chocolate peanut butter rolls, and the best homemade french fries ever. Her meatloaf and fried chicken were amazing, and then there was her chicken fried rice...something the grandkids referred to as "Nana's rice." She could often be found standing in the kitchen, preparing a meal...almost always with that landline telephone (the one with the extra long cord) propped on one shoulder...either catching up with a dear friend several states away...or counseling a church member who was facing difficulties...or leading someone to Jesus.

JoAnn was always concerned about the people closest to her. She could not rest until she knew we were safe and sound. If we were sick, we got a phone call. If we missed church, we got a phone call. If there was even the threat of bad weather, we got a phone call. To be honest...sometimes it was annoying. But I would give anything for one of those phone calls today. Anything.

Fred and JoAnn spent 56 years together as a married couple. They were parents, pastors, partners, lovers, friends. "I could have looked the world over and not found a companion who would have been more faithful in serving the Lord 24-7," Fred said on the occasion of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. "She really is why I had the ministry that I had, because she was my companion, my wife and the mother of my children. I'm just so grateful that she genuinely loves the Lord, she has a sense of humor, and we agreed never to get down at the same time. She's always up and encouraging."

The past several years of her life were hard...really hard. And yet she rarely complained. Many times, healthcare workers would say, "I'm supposed to be helping her...but she's the one ministering to me!" Her last home nurse said she was one of the toughest, strongest patients he'd ever had. A pastor friend said, "No one in a wheelchair has ever stood taller."

In keeping with JoAnn's wishes, she was remembered with a private service for the family. Thank you for your prayers and for your expressions of love. In lieu of flowers, please consider a meaningful financial gift for the Children's Ministry at College Park Church. To give, please click here.  

Her impact, influence and legacy will live on. Going forward, as we face choices, difficulties and decisions large and small, we'll be asking ourselves, "What would Nana do?"

Yes, there is now a huge Nana-shaped hole in our hearts. But our loss is Heaven's gain. She has a new body now. She's walking again...this time, on golden streets. She's experienced joyous reunions with her Daddy, her Mother, her sister and brother. And she's seen her Savior face to face. 

Christmas 2017

The night before Nana passed, we set up a keyboard in her bedroom. As the music was played, one by one, family members came into the room and we began to sing. Scriptures were read. We sang classic hymns and songs that she loved. We even sang a couple of old Bachmann Brothers Band songs. We held her hand. We kissed her forehead. We gathered around her bed and we worshiped the Lord. The presence of God was so strong in that room. What a fitting and glorious way to say "goodbye." 

Then, in the privacy of her final moments, her husband Fred released her, considering her to be a gift from Father God. And the Lord received her back into His presence.

On behalf of the Bachman family, "thank you" to all who touched her life, in ways great and small.

I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow

There've been times I didn't know right from wrong

But in every situation God gave blessed consolation

That my trials come to only make me strong

I've been to lots of places, and I've seen a lot of faces

There've been times I felt so all alone

But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours

Jesus let me know that I was His own

I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys

I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through

For if I'd never had a problem

I wouldn't know that God could solve them

I'd never know what faith in His Word could do

Through it all, through it all

I've learned to trust in Jesus

I've learned to trust in God

Through it all, through it all

I've learned to depend upon His Word