Obituary of Joan Weller-Winstead

Joan Louise Weller-Winstead (66) has been called home following her battle with cancer on August 19 2023. Joan was born to Robert and Marion Weller on February 25 1957 in Shiremanstown PA and was the fifth child of sixteen children. Joan was a spirited and tenacious woman, with a flair for fashion, an appreciation for theater, and a love of a really great story. These traits and talents led her to Allentown College where she became the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Theater and Speech. She would then spend several years working as a costume designer in the theater, and it was here that she met her husband Gorman “Bud” Winstead Jr (75). Once married they relocated to Charleston SC, where they settled down and started a family and built a life together. Joan found her joy in teaching when she became a preschool teacher for the Summerville Family YMCA, where she eventually worked her way up to child care director, where she instituted the first drama camp for kids at the location. Joan eventually left childcare and turned her focus to running the business she created with her husband, and caring for her family and friends. Joan was preceded in death by her sister Amy Weller, her brother Lawrence Weller, and her mother Marion Weller. She is survived by her husband Gorman “Bud” Winstead Jr, her step-daughter Heather Winter (Jason), her daughters Rebecca Collins, Christine Winstead, honorary daughter Shauna Budd (Tim) her grandchildren Jacqueline Marie Federer-Collins, Chase Collins, Tyler Budd, Riley Bryant, Logan Winter, Caroline Collins, Reagan Hall, and Rah-Ni Budd her father Robert Weller, her siblings Donna Kazor (Mike), Robert Weller, Theresa Wright (William), Irene Gerkin (Dennis) Patricia Murphy (Brian), Mike Weller (Diane), Mary Wiley, Mark Weller (Marion), Amanda Sanders (Steve) Laura Cooper, Thomas Weller (Angela), Elizabeth Garcia (Mark), and Louis Weller. A celebration of her life will be held at her home on September 23 2023. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to My Sisters House. Give | mysistershouse