Joan Shelley Allen Hanna, 83, of 310 Country Club Acres, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

She was born on January 20, 1939 to Daniel Burn Shelley, Sr. and Mabel Blanche Altman Shelley in Mullins, SC. After finishing high school at age 16, she attended Coker College for one year before marrying her first husband, the late James Platt Allen, in 1957. Since April 1962, Mrs. Hanna had been a resident of Shelby, NC, where she met and married her beloved second husband, the late Boyce Jackson Hanna, in 1981. A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Shelby for over forty years, she proudly served as the pianist and president of the Social Club for the Bayliss Sunday School Class, sang alto in both the Chancel and Sanctuary choirs, started the 'Joan's Circle' UMW group, and worked on various other committees. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna were also associate members of Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, Associate Reformed Synod in Flat Rock, NC.

Mrs. Hanna enjoyed painting, decorating, and spending time with her husband at their homes in Flat Rock, NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Nassau, Bahamas. She was an avid rook and dominos player and looked forward to meeting her friends weekly for competition. Her kitchen is adorned with countless blue ribbons won at county fairs for her delicious treats. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna donated eighty-six acres of land to the City of Shelby to develop Hanna Park, a beautiful sports complex meant for the enjoyment of the children and citizens of Cleveland County.

When reflecting on her life, Mrs. Hanna wrote: "I want my children to know how many fish make up a mess, what general direction 'cattywampus' is, and when 'by and by' comes. It wouldn't hurt if they would just realize how good a grape soda and cheese crackers are at a country store. When they reach this point, they, too, can say 'I have lived, loved, and laughed'. Mine has been a good life. To all who have been part of it, many thanks for getting in my path".

Her family agrees that she certainly lived a joyful life--we are made better for having her at the heart of ours.

She is predeceased by her two infant brothers, Sammy and other unnamed, her mother, her father, and her husband. She is survived by her brother, Daniel Burn Shelley, Jr. (Barbara) of Mullins, SC; by her five children, Kevin Kirk Allen (Judy) of Shelby, NC, Virginia Blanche Allen Whitehead (Danny) of West Springs, SC, Sandy Skipper Allen, Sr. (Pam) of Little River, SC, Randy Shelley Allen (Cathy) of Shelby, NC, and Altman Ann Allen Anderson (Richard) of Shelby, NC; by her eleven grandchildren, Jennifer Allen Blanton (Jarrett), Skip Allen (Jena), Austin Allen (Stephanie), Cortlan Allen Zaludek (Jake), Shelley Whitehead (Dan), Cody Allen, Caroline Allen, Arden Anderson, Seth Whitehead (Nina), Alex Anderson, and Meredith Allen Mims (Jackson); by her fourteen great-grandchildren Cade, Josie, and Ruthie Blanton, Haiden, Harrisen, Hadleigh, Hayes, and Halle Allen, Jack, Max, and Avery Zaludek, Platt Thebeau, Samuel Whitehead, and Georgia Mims; by her nieces, nephews, and many special friends, including 'daughter' Wanda Phifer and Charles Drewery.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 14 from 3PM-5PM at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory. A celebration of Mrs. Hanna's life will be held on Sunday, May 15 at 2PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the entombment to follow at 310 Country Club Acres, Shelby, NC 28150. Active pallbearers include Danny Whitehead, Richard Anderson, Charles Drewery, Boyte Lutz, Gene Matheney, and George Shipley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1207 West Dixon Boulevard, Shelby, NC 28152.