JoAnn Axtell

JoAnn Axtell died April 17, 2026 in her home in Hilton head Island, SC. She was born in Bath, NY to Evelynn and Rumsey Billings, and met her husband Donald before going to Cortland State University as a Physical Education major. Her future father-in-law introduced her to her future husband, Donald, at a playground where JoAnn surpervised children for a summer job. Donald was hitting golf balls in an empty field next to the playground. He hit a bad shot and threw the golf club, and she remembered thinking, “He’s so handsome.” Our grandfather was a perfect match maker because, as JoAnn loved to relate, “They we were married for 65 years, and only separated by his passing in 2018.” Before he passed Donald would often tell JoAnn, “We had some ride.” She was proud of her loving marriage, and never remarried.

As a physical education teacher, she spent most of her career substituting in various school systems in NY state. For one kindergarten class she arrived early the first day for a one-year assignment and wrote a learning aid on the board for her name. She drew a picture of an ax and a tree and told the story of honest Abe Lincoln who chopped down a cherry tree with an ax and couldn’t tell a lie, Ax-tell. It’s a testimonial to how she was loved by her students that when she happened to teach the same class as high school seniors, she was greeted with exactly the same illustration of how to pronounce her name the first day of the school year. Twelve years later the students remembered her fondly enough to relate her origin story.

She loved to vacation with family and didn’t hesitate to teach outside of school. She fiercely guarded the safety and well being of those she loved in her way, and was beloved in her retirement neighborhood, and shared her passion for photography by gifting her neighbors charming photos of their dogs, and sharing her photo albums of wildlife and family.

She is survived by her three children Jodi Axtell, James Carey Axtell, and John David Axtell; grandchildren Josh, Ben, Hannah, Megan, Morghen, and Austin; great grandchildren Lilliana, Evelyn, Roman, and Juniper; sister-in-law Mary Lou Billings, and several nieces and nephews. JoAnn was predeceased by her parents and brother Lavene Billings.

A celebration of life will be held from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. on June 13, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main Street, Oneonta, NY.

A burial will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on June 14, 2026, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY.

JoAnn was an avid gardener so flowers or a potted plan in her remembrance are welcome. Potted plants will be placed in JoAnn’s home flower garden.