JoAnn H. Fax

JoAnn Haynes Fax was born on June 14, 1947 to the late Joseph Haynes and Mable Smith in Baltimore, MD.  JoAnn was vibrant, generous, and loving and touched so many people throughout her life.

Growing up, JoAnn spent much of her time visiting her grandmother at her second home in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She attended Marshall University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and, later, studied at Howard University, ultimately receiving her Master’s degree in Business Administration. 

During her career, JoAnn developed over 35 years of academic administration experience serving in multiple roles at Howard University. Before retiring, JoAnn served as Executive Director of Executive Search Support for the Offices of the President and Provost.  Previously, she served as Executive Director and Assistant Dean of Administration for the School of Law for ten years where she was the principal advisor to the Dean of the School of Law on all management, human resource, fiscal, operational and facility matters. Prior to serving as Assistant Dean, she was Special Assistant for Administration and Technological Services in the College of Nursing, Administrative Director of the Family Medicine Group as well as the Family Planning Center in the University’s Hospital, respectively. Post retirement, JoAnn continued her career as a Diversity Consultant at Harris Search Associates.

Before joining Howard, JoAnn held positions in Triton and Medicus Systems Corporations and with Georgetown University’s Community Health Plan.

Her work was recognized through multiple awards, including the Distinguished Faculty Award from Howard University School of Law in 2019.  She has also been recognized by Howard University and the University’s Hospital, student and professional societies, the Prince George’s (MD) County Chamber of Commerce, and the Maryland Association for Counseling and Development.

In addition to her various professional associations, she kept herself busy outside of work as well.  JoAnn loved to sing and was a member of both the Chancel Choir, Fellowship Choir, and the Peoples Jazz Society at Peoples Congregational church, where she was an active member for over 20 years.  She was also an avid reader and served as Treasurer of the Sunday Afternoon Book Club.  JoAnn also loved to cook and entertain.  She was famous for her delicious crab cakes and crab salad, created from a family recipe. Never one to miss an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family, during a party, you could always find her on the dance floor.  She also enjoyed tending to her beautiful garden.  JoAnn also loved to travel and was able to take her last international trip to South Africa.   She was also a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for over 30 years.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Allison Fax of Washington, DC; son, Earl (Karen) Totty of Temecula, CA; two grandchildren Alexis Totty and Jordan Totty also of Temecula, CA; sister, Tamara McNealy of Baltimore, MD; brother, Bruce Greene of Baltimore, MD; nephews, Joseph Bailey and Robert Bailey; cousins, Jandie Turner and Andrew Smith; and her many sister-friends. 

She is and will continue to be truly loved and missed.

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