Frances JoAnne Lanham

Frances “JoAnne” (Coon) Lanham, a long-time and well-known resident of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, passed away in her sleep on the evening of February 9, 2026. She was 90 years old.

JoAnne was the firstborn child of Cliff and Frances (Isenberg) Coon on October 26, 1935. She was born on the 18-acre family ranch along the north bank of the Snake River near the ferry. Her brother Clifton Jack “Gus” and Sister, Charlet Jeanne “Susie” soon followed. In high school, JoAnne played on the Glenns Ferry High School softball team and became a majorette for the Marching Band. Tragically, her mother, Frances Coon was killed in a car accident in 1952 while JoAnne was still in high school. Her grandmother, Ida Myrtle “Nin” Martin, took over raising the 3 children on the ranch by herself as their grandfather DW, had passed away in 1949. JoAnne graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1953 and attended Utah State University, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Nin, JoAnne, Susie, and Gus were a very close family until Nin passed away in 1963. JoAnne’s sister Susie passed in 2024.

In 1956, JoAnne married Daniel H. “Dan” Blackwell of Glenns Ferry family, and was also attending Utah State University at the same time as JoAnne. Dan and JoAnne had two children. Daniel Benton was born in 1957, followed by Julie Lee in 1960. Dan, JoAnne, and family traveled for Dan’s career as a construction engineer, living in multiple states, even moving to Jamaica in 1966. The family returned to the USA in 1969, with JoAnne moving to Glenns Ferry to raise her children. She worked at the Merc Department Store and as a substitute teacher.

In 1971, JoAnne married Marvin Wootan of Glenns Ferry. They had a very large blended family with JoAnne and her 2 children (Danny & Julie) and Marvin with his 4 children (Wes, Wayne, Marva, and Dorothy) from their prior marriages.

Marvin was a very successful potato farmer, and he and Jo Anne enjoyed traveling to different places in the winter.

In 1985, JoAnne married Gordon “Tom” Lanham. While the marriage didn’t last, they remained the very best of friends until Tom’s passing.

JoAnne was very active in the Glenns Ferry community. She was very proud to have been elected Mayor of Glenns Ferry (2006 - 2014) and served on the City Council for many years. She served on multiple state and local boards and committees she believed would help Glenns Ferry and its citizens. She was also a long-time member (and Queen) of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, the United Methodist Women’s club, and the Red Hat Society. She was named Glenns Ferry Citizen of the Year in 1996.

JoAnne worked as the secretary of the King Hill Irrigation District for many, many years until she retired. She also owned and operated JoAnne’s Beauty Boutique and later, JoAnne’s Barber & Beauty. JoAnne was a very regular client of her beauty shop as she never went out in public without her signature red hair perfectly combed and presentable.

JoAnne loved to travel. She liked seeing all the different places and customs throughout the world. She loved to get on a cruise ship and visit as many countries as she could while making many new friends along the way. She visited Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico, Ireland, and Australia. She made friends so easily, and she never felt alone.

JoAnne loved to spend time with her children, 5 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. They all loved to come to Grandma’s house to have fun, go to Hanson’s Café for hot chocolate, and get spoiled. They all made her laugh and were bright spots in her life. She was so proud of them all.

JoAnne is preceded in death by her parents, Cliff and Frances (Isenberg) Coon; her sister, Charlet Jeanne “Susie” (Coon) Taylor; and husbands, Dan Blackwell, Marvin Wooten, and Gordon “Tom” Lanham. She is survived by her brother Clifton Jack “Gus” Coon; her children, Daniel Benton (Mary Jane) Blackwell, and Julie Lee (Lloyd) Jeffrey; her grandchildren, Jaclyn Anne (PJ) McGrew, Amanda Jane (Morgan) Trammel, Daniel Martin Blackwell, Lucas Tucker (Brittany) Guy, and Adam Benton Guy; and her 9 great grandchildren.

JoAnne’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, at Rost Funeral Home in Mountain Home. There will be a graveside internment ceremony at Glenn Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry immediately following the funeral service. There will be a luncheon at the Three Island Senior Center in Glenns Ferry following the internment service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Glenns Ferry Animal Shelter or the Three Island Senior Center in Glenns Ferry.