Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 9, 2025

Joanne Herlong Giffen, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in Johnston, SC, on July 18, 1935, she spent her early years on a farm in Edgefield County, where she cherished time with her sister, Rebecca, and extended family, the Herlongs and Satchers. She found joy in the simple pleasures of childhood—playing outdoors, feeding animals, making mud pies, and picking blackberries.

Joanne excelled in school, no doubt influenced by her father’s role as a teacher and football coach at her high school. Her dedication to learning led her to the University of South Carolina, where she was among the first female students to enroll. She graduated in 1957 with a degree in English and a minor in business, paving the way for her first employment at the VA Hospital in Columbia, SC.

It was in Columbia that she met the love of her life, Elliott Giffen, her devoted husband of 65 years. Joanne’s passion for children became a lifelong calling—she lovingly cared for babies and toddlers in the nursery at Sharon Presbyterian Church and supported children’s charities throughout her life. Some of her most cherished memories were raising her own children, Morrison and Perry, in the Sharon Woods neighborhood of Charlotte. Sundays were spent at the Sharon Presbyterian Church, which was walking distance from their home. Here, Joanne attended Sunday School, played bridge, and contributed deviled eggs and other treats to covered-dish dinners.

A dedicated homemaker, Joanne found joy in preparing home-cooked meals and tending to her expansive yard. She cultivated towering pecan and magnolia trees transplanted from her Johnston home, vibrantly colored azaleas from local nurseries, and a rich variety of vegetables from Potts Hardware Store. She also enjoyed providing nourishment for the great variety of birds that visited her feeders. The abundant vegetation and wildlife in her yard were a testament to her love for nature and the beauty she nurtured in every aspect of her life.

Accordingly, Joanne was known for her selflessness, always prioritizing others’ comfort over her own, often simply saying, “I’m fine” instead of allowing anyone to help. Even in declining health, she remained steadfast in her insistence on avoiding doctors and hospitals, preferring the peace of her final residence at The Sharon. Joanne’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to family will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be dearly missed.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Elliott Giffen, who resides at The Sharon; her two sons, Perry Giffen of Boise, Idaho, and Morrison Giffen of Charlotte; her daughter-in-law, Sheila Giffen of Boise, Idaho; her grandchildren, James, Austin, and Katelyn of Boise, Idaho; her niece, Lauren Robinson of Waxhaw; and countless family members in her native Edgefield County.

A private service will be held at Sharon Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, or to your favorite children’s charity.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.