Mary Joan Fannin

With great sadness, Mary Joan Fannin passed away on the morning of September 7, 2026, at the age of 85.

Mary was born on May 24, 1941, in Atlanta GA, to John Fannin Sr and Lillie Hightower. She was the second of five children and is remembered by her twin siblings' Doris Turner and Donald Fannin.

Mary moved from Atlanta, GA to Columbus, Oh in 1969, She started her career at The Neighborhood House where she worked there several years. She worked several jobs throughout her working career, from the Welfare Department, Lazarus (Macy's), Rosemont School for Girls, Victoria Secret and finally retiring from Anthem Blue Bross Blue Shield in 2007 as a claim's examiner.

She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Family was at the heart of her life, and she leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories or all who knew and loved her.

She was the loving mother of five children; Duntov Juan Robinson, Donna Jacy Carmichael-Jallow (Musa), Alvina Jan Carmichael, Karen Michele Carmichael, and Andrea Carol Barton (Robert). She was also blessed with eight grandchildren: Brittini Robinson, India Robinson, and Myles Robinson; Kahli Kayembe, Michele Carmichael, and Morgan Turner, Mackenzie Turner and Sydnie Turner. She was blessed to have five great-grandchildren who brough her immense joy: Kenadie Willis; Avery and Bricen Waller, Phara Turner and Xander Patti.

She was preceded in death by Donna Jacy Carmichael-Jallow and Alvina Jan Carmichael.

She enjoyed knitting and cooking, especially preparing meals for the people she loved. She was well known throughout the neighborhood for her delicious cornbread. She also loved to sew and crochet; a trait she taught all her daughters. While working at Lazarus as a gift wrapper, she became and expert and also taught her daughters how to properly wrap a gift.

Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, we are grateful for the years we were blessed to have her with us. Her memory will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and everyone whose life she touched.

Mary will be deeply missed and forever loved. May she rest peacefully.