Joan started her career at Burry Biscuits now known as Nabisco. There, she was the first woman to ever be promoted to “foreman”. Her “firsts” didn’t stop there. Joan eventually became the first woman to go to police academy to be trained as a Sherriff’s Officer. Upon the successful completion of academy, she started her career as a Deputy Sherriff eventually climbing the ranks to Lieutenant.

Joan had many “Spano trained officers” as they were called. Several of her first trainees affectionately called her “Sergeant Cupcake” or “Sergeant Mom”. Notably, she appeared in a book and on TV while managing the very tight security detail of the high - profile List murder trial in New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Spano. 

Ms. Spano’s motto was “If God gives you lemons, make lemonade”; which she herself knew how to do. Joan made friends wherever she went and will be greatly missed by all; to include her son, Edward Londino and wife, Dolores; and her daughter Carol Bonafide.

Memorial Services for Mrs. Joan Spano will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2023 in the chapel of Walter Sanders Funeral and Cremation Services, 302 S. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577.

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