Joni James

Joni James passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 20, 2022. She is preceded in death by her father Angelo Babbo, mother Mary Chereso, brother Joseph Babbo, her first husband Anthony “Tony” Acquaviva and her beloved husband General Bernard “Ben” A. Schriever. Joni is survived by her son Michael Acquaviva and his wife Michelle of Alabama, her daughter Angela Kwoka, her brother Angelo Babbo and his wife Anna of Florida, brother Jimmy Contino and his wife Judy of Florida, her sister Clara Aerostegui and her husband Frank of California, sister Rosalie Ferina and her husband Jason of Chicago, her beloved grandchildren Jacqueline Mills and her husband Cory of Alabama, Connor Kwoka of Florida, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Born Giovanna Carmella Babbo in Chicago, Illinois September 22, 1930, to an Italian American family, she was one of six children supported by her widowed mother. As an adolescent she studied drama and ballet, after graduating high school she traveled with a local dance group touring Canada and afterwards she took a job as a chorus girl at a hotel in Chicago.

Giovanna later pursued a singing career and was signed by MGM in 1952, Giovanna became known by her dear fans as Joni James and experienced a very successful singing career. Joni had several hits and was known to compassionately care for her fans. Just as fortunate as her fans were to meet her, Joni felt just as fortunate and blessed to meet her fans. If you had the opportunity to meet Joni as a fan she purposely and graciously devoted her attention to you. You were a blessing to Joni…

In 1964 Joni retired from the music industry. Her husband Anthony “Tony” Acquaviva passed in 1986 and in 1997 she married Air Force General Bernard Adolph Schriever who passed in 2005.

Most importantly Joni will be remembered for being a passionately devoted wife, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a tender loving friend to her many loyal and cherished fans who she considered her friends.

In her later years Joni’s passions were her faith, music, her fans, family and her loyal companion “Baby”, her dog.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time for visitation scheduled for Friday, February 25, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Northwood Funeral Home 5608 Broadway West Palm Beach, Florida. A Mass will take place Saturday, February 26th at St. Ann Catholic Church 310 North Olive Ave of West Palm Beach at 12:00, Noon. At a later date Joni will be laid to rest with her husband General Bernard A. Schriever at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home of West Palm Beach, northwoodfh.com.