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Gladys Joan Wanda Sprewer was born to the late Florida James Sprewer and Marie Bonds Sprewer on June 11, 1944, in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Joan or “Sugar bee” as she was known was the youngest of 10 children born to Florida & Marie. Her siblings are Cecil, Carnell, Thomas, Stanley, Florida Jr. Mary, Gaynell, Rosie, and Flora-May.
Joan received her education in the Milwaukee County school system. After high school she went on to technical school to pursue training as a Medical Technician. Joan worked as a private patient care giver, and she worked for Planned Parenthood there in Milwaukee. In 1980 Joan moved the family to Fayetteville North Carolina and then on to Wilmington where she made her home. Once in Wilmington she continued to work in the medical field being a private caregiver and she worked for Liberty Commons. Joan had a love for people and taking care of their health. She became a Diabetic Educator for New Hanover Reginal Hospital and when the programended, she created her own group “Sugar Angels” to continue to educate people in the community. That love of people continued as she volunteered as a client counselor for the Domestic Violence Shelter working with battered women and children. Joan never met a stranger, and she shared her love with anyone in need. When her health started to decline, she continued to reach out to the community as much as she could. Be it by visiting home bound, a former patient, or delivering diabetic supplies she continued to remain active. When she was no longer able to travel, she would send cards or small gifts to let people know that somebody cared how they were doing.
Joan was preceded in death by her Husband Charles Shields, Ex-husband Petahenryy Ricketts. Brothers Cecil Sprewer, Carnell Sprewer, Stanley Sprewer, Florida Sprewer Jr. Sisters Mary Minor, Gaynell Scaggs, Rosie Sprewer, and Flora May Cooper. She is survived by her Brother Thomas Sprewer, Daughters Robie McClain, Carmen Meredith (Jonathan Scott Meredith)adopted Daughter Janice Washington, Adopted Mother Elizabeth Nelson,Ex-husband Robert McClain, Stepsons Michael Shields, Franklin Shields(Connie Shields), Grandchildren Kortney Meredith, Alicia Meredith, Jada Meredith, Christina Shields, Adopted Granddaughter Dulcibella Larby, Adopted Grandsons Kendall Holmes, Christopher Washington, Very Special Godchildren Alicia Carter (Westly Carter), Cornelius Alston (Venita Alston), A host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Friday, November 12, 2021 at Wilmington Funeral Chapel 1535 S. 41st St. Wilmington, NC with a funeral service 12pm Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ 1119 S 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st St., Wilmington NC 28403
910.791.9099
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