Joanna Jean Hovater's Obituary
Joanna Jean(Phillips) Hovater
June 24, 1940 ~ March 13, 2016
Joanna Jean (Phillips) Hovater passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, around 7:45 p.m. after suffering a stroke the day before. She had been surrounded by family throughout the day. She was 75.
Joanna was born to Jean Elizabeth (Pierce) and Donald Ivan Phillips on June 24, 1940, in Hume, New York. Born 8 weeks premature at just 3 pounds, she was kept alive in a makeshift incubator being fed with an eyedropper. The family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, for a short time until health reasons caused the family to relocate to California.
On September 20, 1951, the family set sail for Santos, Brazil, for the purpose of bringing Youth for Christ to that country. For the next 7 years, Joanna and her family would be instrumental in holding Youth for Christ outreaches, Bible studies, and children’s programs. Joanna performed in a musical trio at these events to crowds of hundreds or even thousands. One of these camps is still in operation today, where a chapel has been dedicated to her father: Mocidade para Cristo de Brazil.
Known for being shy and timid, she overcame her fears as a teen in Brazil by bravely travelling two hours on three buses alone with her flannel board to hold Bible meetings, where dozens of children made decisions to follow Jesus. Set in a poverty-stricken area on the outskirts of Sao Paolo, these meetings were nothing more than Joanna and her flannel board surrounded by 30-plus children sitting in the dirt every Sunday. The friendly and loving people of Brazil held a special place in her heart the rest of her life. Even in declining health, conversing with her sisters in Portuguese, which she spoke flawlessly, breathed new life into her.
Joanna returned to the United States in 1958 to attend Multnomah School of the Bible, where she met her husband, Gene Hovater. They married on February 24, 1961, and started a family that would grow to five children, eventually settling in St. Helens, Oregon, in 1970.
Nothing meant more to her than being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Of her 13 grandchildren, eight lived with her at different points in their lives. It was a joy to help her children when they needed it and she sacrificed willingly, lovingly, and unconditionally. She was happiest surrounded by her children, demonstrating to them how to be wonderful mothers and fathers themselves.
She enjoyed crafting, traveling, and cooking, particularly for her large family, which she always did from scratch. Most of all, she lived her life as a testament to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by: her loving husband of 45 years, Oliver Eugene Hovater; her mother and father, Jean Elizabeth (Pierce) and Donald Ivan Phillips; and her brother, David Donald Phillips.
She is survived by two sisters: Donna Phillips and Barbara (and Dale) McAllister; five children and 13 grandchildren: Donna and Keith Baley (Greg, Jason, Robyn, and Staci), Scott and Jenny Hovater (Kristi and Stephen), Heidi Hovater (Joeseph and Hannah), David and Barbara Hovater (Betsie and Jacob), and Susan and Fernando Sanchez (Jeramy, Siera, and Rebecka); ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life and reception will be held at 2 p.m. on April 9, 2016, at Columbia Christian Center, 235 S 15th St., St. Helens, OR 97051-2226.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Mocidade para Cristo. 100% of every gift goes to the ministry in Brazil and is tax-deductible. Project Love International, 501 Reino Road #254 Newbury Park, CA 91320.
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