Joan Metts

Obituary of Joan Metts

Joan (Bonnie) Metts died peacefully in her sleep during the early hours of October 11, 2008. She was 74. Born on November 7, 1933 in Naples, Florida, she was the daughter of John W. and Mary Prince. Although she came from a family of some means, her own mom was killed in an auto accident when she was six and her Dad never quite understood or accepted what we would call today a learning disability (Dyslexia). John W. was a leader in the early development of Naples, Florida owning the first pharmacy, diner, taxi service, real estate and more. She later married Wally Metts and began a remarkable life together, marked by 50 years planting and pastoring churches in Florida and Tennessee. Wally and Joan Metts dedicated their lives together to the service of God. In 1969 they helped start what is now Calvary Baptist Church on Pine Street in Englewood. He also pastored several churches including W Road Chapel (Chattanooga), Southside Baptist (Fort Myers), Russell Park Baptist (Fort Myers), Berean Baptist (Chattanooga) and then returned back to Calvary Baptist in 1981. During their 23 years at Calvary Baptist Ministries the church grew to be the largest Independent Baptist Church in Southwest Florida, with an attendance approaching 1,000. The ministry work included a school (Heritage Christian Academy), a large outreach ministry and a huge Christmas production, "The Lamb", which they wrote. Together they had an international ministry, which included a Mission Board, international speaking engagements, and a weekly national radio broadcast (which still airs on nearly 60 radio stations across America). They started a media and publishing ministry which started a Christian radio station (WSEB), published several books and created an entire through the Bible Sunday School curriculum. He preceded her in death by six years. Noted for her gift of mercy, her love of animals, and her adventurous spirit, she will also be greatly missed by her three children and their spouses (Wally and Katie, Toy and Kent, Joy and Garry), twelve grandchildren that called her "Honey" (Margaret and John, Christian and Ann, Ryan, Mitchell, Michael, Elyse, Cory, Pilgrim, Krista, Myra), two great-grandchildren (Tabitha and Timothy), a step-mother (Grace), two sisters (Mary and Betty), a brother (John), a step brother (Val), two step sisters (Jacquie and Susan) former parishioners (hundreds), caregivers (dozens) and her cats (two). "Mrs. Metts" was a tireless force of love and support for not only her husband and family, but also countless numbers of friends who were blessed to know her. If you did know her, you were likely to receive a timely but unexpected unique gift along with words of encouragement. Loved as a Sunday School teacher and pastor's wife for years, she was still a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church. Once a year she gathered with the Old Timers Club of Naples to celebrate the heritage of "Old Florida." There will be a celebration of her life at Calvary Baptist Church at 1:00 Friday afternoon, October 17. There will also be a time together on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Arrangements are being provided by Englewood Community Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. There is a photo album posted at: www.myspace.com/JoanMetts. She struggled for over a decade with complications from a stroke, diabetes, renal failure and four episodes of cancer, but remained unto the end a rare, independent spirit who loved the open road and never lived in a house with air-conditioning.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Englewood Community Funeral Home
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