Joan Catherine (Ankner) Bless of Melissa, Texas passed away on July 24, 2021 at the age of 87. She was born on October 31, 1933 to Raymond Anthony Ankner and Catherine Agnes (Fitzpatrick) Ankner in Brooklyn, New York. Joan grew up in Brooklyn and went on to graduate from Brooklyn College. While in school Joan met her husband, Robert Richard Bless. In 1956, Joan and Bob got married at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Together, they raised their family. They moved to Atlanta and later to Florida. After Bob passed, Joan moved to Georgia and then later to Texas to be closer to family. She was a tax preparer for over 20 years. In her down time, Joan loved to play bridge and she took every opportunity to play.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Joan Kuney of Houston, Texas and Janet McCurley and husband, Rob of Columbus, Georgia; sons, Bob Bless and wife, Cleta of Melissa, Texas and Ray Bless and wife, Carol of Houston, Texas; sons-in-law, Art McClendon of Atlanta, Georgia and John Kuney of Austin, Texas; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Ray Ankner of Naples, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Catherine Ankner; husband, Bob Bless and her daughter, Ruth McClendon.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 7, 2021 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 1515 North Greenville Avenue, Allen, Texas 75002.