Judge Joanna Tabit, 62, of Charleston, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on September 29, 2023.

Known for her brilliant mind, infectious smile, and positive energy, Joanna loved people and they loved her. Each time you saw her, you left feeling better.  She had many friends of all ages and from all walks of life. In her honor, we are all called to fight for justice, mentor others, recognize every person’s worth, and make each other laugh and love big.

Born in Montgomery, WV, on March 15, 1961, Joanna attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 1979.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Marshall University in 1983 and her law degree from West Virginia University College of Law in 1986.  While an undergraduate student at Marshall University, she served as President of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.  She loved all her alma maters – Charleston Catholic High School, Marshall University, and West Virginia University.

As Kanawha Circuit Judge, she strove to carry out her mission as mentor to young lawyers, which she believed was one of the most critical components to their success. She also mentored aspiring lawyers during her career as a public and private practitioner and as an Adjunct Lecturer, teaching Summer Appellate Advocacy for the WVU College of Law.

She began her legal career in 1986 as a law clerk, to former Supreme Court Justice Thomas E. McHugh. Following her clerkship, she served as an Assistant, and then as Deputy Attorney General, of the Appellate Division in the Office of the Attorney General, from 1989 to 1992, under the administrations of Attorneys General Roger Tompkins and Mario Palumbo. In 1992, she joined the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, where she was a partner until October 2014, when she was appointed to the bench.

She was active in professional and civic organizations. Among other things, she served as Co-Chairman of the Campaign for Legal Aid of West Virginia; served on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Charleston; chaired the Access to Justice Foundation; served as a member of the Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar; and served as a Commissioner on the City of Charleston Human Rights Commission.

She was chairwoman of the Mass Litigation Panel, a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission, and a former member of the Business Court Division. She was also Presiding Judge over the Juvenile Drug Court and the Family Treatment Court.

While in private practice, she was rated an AV lawyer by Martindale Hubbell and recognized by Chambers USA as a Leader in the Field, with a specialty in commercial litigation. In 2009, she received the “Outstanding Private Practice Attorney” award, presented by the Women’s Law Caucus at WVU College of Law. She also was recognized as “Charleston’s Finest” by the Kentucky/West Virginia chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for her charitable work for the organization; and, in 2017 was a YWCA Women of Achievement honoree.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gloria Tabit, and her niece, Hallie Tabit Johnson.

She is survived by sisters, Diana White and Annette Reynolds.  Although she loved her sisters dearly, her nephews, Craig Tabit and Jeff Reynolds, were unquestionably the lights of her life.

Joanna leaves behind a host of family and friends who were fortunate to have been touched by her presence in their lives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, with Monsignor P. Edward Sadie and Father Donald X. Higgs officiating.  Private family entombment services will follow at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday, October 6, 2023.  The funeral service will also be live-streamed.  It will be available on the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s Facebook video page: Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart | Facebook.

Joanna had a special place in her heart for youth.  She saw the importance of helping to secure their future, and ours. Not surprisingly, Joanna’s connections with young people through the Juvenile Drug Court showed her determination to provide youth with direction, support, and realistic hopes for positive futures.  As a talented athlete herself during her formative years, it is not surprising to learn that Joanna’s encouraging spirit was deeply felt by Charleston Catholic High School students through her faithful, enthusiastic attendance at their sports competitions and other events.  In order to continue her work and passion, two memorial funds have been established.  The family asks that those who are able, in lieu of flowers, to consider donating to continue Joanna’s work with the Juvenile Drug Court administered by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals, or to scholarship support for students and athletics at Charleston Catholic High School.  Donations can be made through the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. Send contributions payable to TGKVF, PO Box 3041, Charleston, WV 25331, or visit  www.tgkvf.org.  Please designate your contribution for support of Juvenile Drug Court or Charleston Catholic High School scholarships.

Online condolences and memories of Joanna may be shared by visiting
https://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV.