Joanne Buggs' Obituary
Joanne Buggs was born December 9, 1950 in Oakland, CA to Javan and Sarah Buggs. Sadly, Sarah passed away when Joanne was two months old. Later Javan married Canary Ivory and Joanne gained a bonus mom and two bonus siblings, Linda and Roy Ivory, Jr. The family lived initially in Parchester Village in San Pablo, CA and later moved to Berkeley, California in 1956.
Joanne and her siblings attended Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, CA throughout their childhood and were active in Sunday School, Youth Choir, and Junior Usher Board. She attended church most of her life and remained a member of Love Center Church in Oakland, CA until her passing.
Joanne attended schools in the Berkeley Unified School District from Kindergarten through 12th grade, attending Longfellow Elementary, Willard Jr. High and graduated from Berkeley High School in June 1968. After graduation Joanne attended Laney College in Oakland, CA and California State University at Hayward. A few years later, she attended the United Airlines flight attendant training school in Chicago, IL. Upon graduating from this training, she began a career she very much loved, serving as an United Airlines flight attendant based in New York and later in Los Angeles. Joanne loved flying in the friendly skies and her career included both commercial and charter flights.
In September 1973, Joanne married Donald Leeper. To this union was born, a beautiful daughter, Mercedes D. Leeper in March 1978. The family lived briefly in Los Angeles, CA and later settled in Oakland, CA.
Joanne always loved fashion, hair, and cosmetics. So in the early 1980’s, she became a cosmetologist and opened Lady J’s, one of the first African American nail salons in Oakland, CA. Her salon, Lady J’s, was the home to many beauticians and nail operators. Her salon sold imported handbags, clothing and jewelry. During this time, Joanne hosted glamorous fashion shows, with models showing off the latest fashion trends. Her business flourished for over 25 years.
Joanne was preceded into eternal rest by her parents, Javan and Canary Buggs, and brother Roy Ivory, Jr. Joanne leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Mercedes Leeper of Vallejo, CA; grandsons, Amari Welch and Ashan Welch of Vallejo, CA; Sister, Rosemary Brown of Chicago, IL; Sister, Linda Jo Chambers of Rio Vista, CA; Nieces, Latanya Parker of Chicago, IL and Tammikka Caldwell (Anthony) of Brentwood, CA; Nephews Brutus Brown of Chicago, IL and Rufus Chambers III (Jamila) of Los Angeles, CA; Great Nieces, Winter and Willow Chambers of Los Angeles, CA. She also leaves a host of cousins in Flint, MI and Richmond, CA as well as many friends.
The family will be hosting Celebration of Joanne’s Life on Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 12:00-4:00PM. For more information please contact Mercedes Leeper at [email protected].
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