Joanna Gean Tyree

Joanna Tyree, 83, of Arlington, Texas, passed away in Mansfield, Texas on May 6, 2026. She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1942. Joanna was the daughter of John and Wilma Hill. Joanna graduated from Northeastern State University Oklahoma earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a member of the Kappa Kappa Iota Sorority.

Joanna shared a beautiful marriage of sixty-two years with her husband, Brian Tyree, after the two met on a blind date. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, and adventure beginning in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and finally, Arlington, Texas.

Joanna began her teaching career in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She dedicated herself to education as a second-grade teacher for nearly twenty years at J.B. Little Elementary School in Arlington where she taught gifted and talented students. Joanna genuinely adored her students and took extreme pleasure in helping them learn and grow. She was recognized several times in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram for her Pyramid students in Gifted and Talented for their continued success and growth.

Joanna had a deep passion for travel and for creating lasting memories with her family. Hawaii held a special place in her heart beginning with the graduation trip she took with her grandmother for over a month visiting all the Hawaiian Islands. She travelled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, Japan, and visited almost every one of the United States. She especially cherished family trips with her children and grandchildren to Hawaii, Europe, Canada, and California.

Joanna loved visiting museums in all the countries and states she traveled to, reading, flying, biking, hiking, and enjoyed water sports. As a strong Christian who believed in God, she was a member of her church where she previously taught Sunday school classes and led youth groups. Joanna was an active member of the Rancho Palos Verdes, California PTA, where she helped organize elaborate carnivals and festivals for students in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. She also served as a Brownie Troop leader for her daughter’s group in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Joanna was also a member of the Arlington, Texas PTA.

Joanna was an extremely giving and loyal person. Joanna continually supported numerous charitable organizations that she believed in, including children and adult cancer charities, children’s charities, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Tunnel to Towers Foundation as she believed strongly in her country and supporting those who served, along with numerous other charities. She never missed an opportunity to give to others.

Joanna was always the first to encourage and support her family. She believed in putting her children first and in as many activities, sports, organizations, clubs, and lessons as she could. She believed they should experience all life could offer and immersing them in activities would enhance and broaden their life abilities and skills to give them a sense of purpose and culture. Joanna took immense pride in each of their accomplishments and loved them deeply.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, John and Wilma Hill. She is survived by her devoted husband, Brian Tyree; daughter, Lisa Tyree; daughter, Krista Tyree Knebel, and husband, Scott Knebel; her son, Kevin Tyree, and wife, Marylou Tyree; her granddaughter, Camerin Lovin, and husband, Ryan Lovin; her granddaughters, Hannah and Isabel; and her great-grandsons, Walker, Easton, and great granddaughter Branson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Joanna will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, unwavering love for her family, and the countless lives she touched throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, Joanna loved live plants of all kinds. She was particularly fond of and would be honored if donations were made in her name to St Jude’s, Wounded Warriors, and Tunnels to Towers.