Joan Elfrid Carris

Joan Davenport Carris, born August 18, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio, passed away on December 6, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Tup Carris, her daughters Mindy Goldsmith and Leigh Ann Lather, her son Brad Carris, and grandchildren Emma Lather, Margaret Lather, Ben Carris and Audrey Carris.

Joan graduated from Iowa State University and began her career as an English and French teacher. She went on to author over 30 books, including the Howard Boys series, Just a Little Ham, Witch Cat, the Aunt Morbelia series and the Bed and Biscuit series. She also wrote and published the renowned SAT Success study guide and dedicated many hours to tutoring students preparing for the SAT. She returned to school as an adult, earning her Masters in Children’s Literature from Hollins University. Later in life she taught writing for the graduate students at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, and then a master’s level course on memoir writing in Charlottesville, VA.

She was truly a lifelong learner who loved science, educational travel, and all of the arts. Above all, she loved her family and she loved and admired animals and the natural world. Her philanthropy included donations to the World Wildlife Fund and similar organizations. A donation to Canine Companions has been made in her name. Joan was a beautiful, brilliant woman who will be sadly missed.