Dr. Joanna Violet (Strosnider) Nesselroad, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2020. Joanna was born June 21, 1923, to Earl Thompson and Ethel Chalfant Strosnider, of Blacksville.
She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Paul E. Nesselroad and her siblings: Reed Thompson Strosnider, Ruth Chalfant Strosnider, Naomi Strosnider Lally, Mary Strosnider McCann, Martha Strosnider Kridle and Robert Earl Strosnider.
Joanna graduated in 1942 from Morgantown Commercial College and continued her education at West Virginia University, graduating with a B.S. in home economics in 1946 and M.S. in 1955. Joanna furthered her studies at the University of Tennessee, Penn State University and New York University, as well as the Britain Infant Schools and Paget Applied Research Institute, both in London. She earned an Ed.D. in education from WVU in 1978.
During her teaching career, she taught at many levels. Joanna began her profession at the Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. After marrying Paul in 1947, she continued her teaching career at Romney High School in Hampshire County and Clay-Battelle High School in Monongalia County. Also, Joanna taught early childhood education and home economics at Murray State University, Penn State University, West Virginia University and Fairmont State College, where she retired as Professor Emerita. While at Fairmont State, she developed and directed a 2+2 Associate/B.S. degree in Child Care and Development.
Her many professional accomplishments include serving on President Johnson’s National Head Start Committee in 1965. She pioneered the Head Start in West Virginia, where she developed one of the nation’s first Head Start programs in McDowell County. As the regional training officer of Head Start in West Virginia, she trained teachers and administrators in the principles of child development. Joanna’s research and teachings have long been recognized as the national standard for educators.
In retirement, Joanna worked as a consultant with preschool programs, The Visiting Homemakers Service and the WV Vocational Home Economics Education program. She was a consultant for the national award-winning WVU Extension Service video production “Let’s Talk Sense About Sex.” She was engaged in a research project, “Fabric Bags — A Recycled Household Textile” with Dr. Beth Thorne of Fairmont State College.
Among her honors are inclusion in the International Bibliography (for contributions to Early Childhood Education in Appalachia), The World’s Who’s Who of Women and the Who’s Who Record of Child Development Professionals. She received the Distinguished Service Award for 10 years of service to Head Start and the WVU Alumni Outstanding Home Economist award. In 2007, Joanna was inducted into the WVU College of Human Resources and Education Hall of Fame.
She was a member of American and WV Associations of Family and Consumer Sciences, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta. Further, Joanna was a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and a devout member of the Suncrest United Methodist Church.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Madison Center for their compassionate care during the last 11 years, as well as friends, church members and family for their visits and comfort.
She is survived by her children and their spouses — Karina and Richard Gray, of Romney, and Mark R. and Peggy Nesselroad, of Morgantown; grandchildren and their spouses — Kimberly and Lt. Col. John Moltz, of Fort Polk, La., Jennifer and Matt Fitzwater, of Louisville, Ky., Mark J. and Lauren Nesselroad, of Morgantown, and Erica and Niko Medved, of Fort Collins, Colo.; and great-grandchildren — Henry and Charlotte Moltz, Joel and Isaac Fitzwater, Logan and Elle Nesselroad and Alexa and Taylor Medved.
A private family burial will be held. At a later date, a memorial service will be planned. Memorials may be given to Fairmont State Foundation (1300 Locust Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554), for the Dr. Joanna Violet Nesselroad Endowed Scholarship.
