JoAnn Brandon Schoenberger

JoAnn Brandon Schoenberger, a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed on December 13, 2025, at the age of 95. JoAnn was born on December 28, 1929, in Deslodge, Missouri. JoAnn’s family moved to Port Sulphur, LA when she was 3 years old, as her father was one of the first engineers to survey the future mine site for the Freeport Sulphur Company. JoAnn graduated from Port Sulphur High School, where she was a member of the basketball team, a cheerleader, and a member of numerous clubs. She then attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana. In 1947, she married Herman “Barney” Schoenberger. They had a wonderful life in Buras, and they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary before Barney died in 2016, when he was 90 years old. Together they raised their daughter Bonnie Jo.

JoAnn was a wife who was always at her husband’s side and a mother who made all things possible. For many years, she was a secretary at Barney’s law office and orange business. Deeply involved in Bonnie Jo’s education, JoAnn was an active member of the PTA and served as Room Mother throughout her daughter’s school years. Creatively, she came up with whatever was needed for Bonnie Jo’s school projects. She was also a proficient seamstress. She planned many great family vacations as well as packed to evacuate from numerous hurricanes but always returned to Buras. She made dinners effortlessly. She always looked forward to hosting holiday celebrations and birthday dinners at her house with the extended family. They always joined Barney in Baton Rouge during the Legislative sessions and supported him through his public service as Representative, Assessor, and Sheriff. She was a member of the Buras-Triumph Baptist Church until Hurricane Katrina and Charter Member of the Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival. In 1985, JoAnn was blessed with a grandson who was a source of immense joy to both her and Barney. They enjoyed many days with Schoeny around the house as well as weekends to the Gulf Coast.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter Bonnie Jo Schoenberger Thomas and husband Robert L. “Bobby” Thomas; grandson Robert Schoenberger “Schoeny” Thomas and wife Brittain Brown Thomas and her great- granddaughter Browne Marie Schoenberger Thomas; nephews, Brandon B. Matherne, wife Diana Matherne and Hector “Bert” Matherne, wife Lana Matherne. She was predeceased by her husband Herman Bernard Schoenberger, sister Juanita Bonnie Brandon Matherne, and her parents, Frank Aaron Brandon and Bonnie Lee Rentfro Brandon.

A Family graveside service will be held at Nairn Cemetery.