Joan Elaine (Anthony) Elliott

Joan Elaine Elliott (nee’ Anthony) was born December 7, 1933 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to the late William B. and Mamie Anthony. She was the second of seven children: Helen (Cheatham, deceased), Joan, James, Donald Sr., Walter (deceased), Roger, and Shirley (Branch). Joan graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1952, and soon afterward married Walter J. Buckholtz, Jr., a member of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). That union produced four children: William Sr., Walter, Donna, and David. Over the next 18 ½ challenging, tumultuous years, the family moved from New Jersey to California, Kansas, Japan (twice), and Nevada. While stationed in Japan the second time, Joan met the love of her life, Frank E. Elliott. Joan and Frank married in 1972 after moving to Ft. Meade, Maryland; that marriage added Frank’s son Marc to the brood, and spanned 48 years until her sudden passing on March 22, 2021.

Joan’s work experience included short stints in retail and hospitality, until she began a career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). She retired from AAFES in 1998 after over 25 years of service.

Joan was a member of the Ft. Meade Protestant community for four decades, actively participating in what is now the Contemporary Worship Service at 6th Armored Cavalry Chapel (ChapelNext). She loved gathering her family (and extended family) for Sunday brunches, pool parties, outings to Toby’s Dinner Theater, trips to Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania, anniversary celebrations at local eateries, and the variety of functions sponsored by her husband and son’s social group, the EMBREEDA Social Club, where she served as the (unofficial) historian.

Joan Elliott was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who truly loved her family: whether by blood or not, once you were in with her, you were IN. Her nurturing and care for those who found their way into her orbit were legendary: “a pillar of strength and joy,” “a safe harbor,” “a bold and kind spirit,” are some of the phrases used to describe her.

Joan is survived by her husband, Frank; five children: William Sr. (Linda), Walter (Soraja), Donna Hudson (Norwood Richardson, or “Rick”), David (Karen), and Marc (Kim); brothers James, Donald Sr., and Roger, sister Shirley Branch (Maurice), and brother-in-law William Cheatham; grandchildren William II, Licaiah Gates (Shawn), Ephraim, Brandon, Brenda Delbrey, Shana, Ashley and Michael Hudson, and Cain Elliott; eight great-grandchildren: Kishon, Kyasia, and Keziah Jackson; Ephraim Jr., Esionta “EZ” and EyE’Emiriande “I” Buckholtz; and Osmany Jr. and Anthony Delbrey.

Joan also leaves behind nieces Gail Merrell, Lisa Scott, Norma Shabazz, LaToya and Ramone Toulson, and Takiyah Scales; nephews Rodney Cheatham, Gregg, Donald Jr., and Michael Anthony, Marcus Branch, and Roger and Ahmed Tyler; and a host of friends who became extended family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 2, 2021 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, and 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Maryland 21113.  A graveside service and interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be announced when details are available.

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