Joanna Lauretta Baxter Hammer Schaefer

Joanna Lauretta Baxter Hammer Schaefer, age 93, of Bluff Park passed away on January 6,2022. She was born in Wichita, Kansas, on November 24,1928, the 6th child of the late Reverend John Hill Baxter and Jessie Elizabeth Todd. She graduated high school from Wichita North High School in 1946. Joanna married Earl Allison Hammer Jr. and was blessed with a son in 1947, and twin daughters in 1949. After moving to Birmingham, Alabama in 1950. Joanna's husband died from brain cancer. With the responsibility of taking care of three small children and her in-laws, Joanna began college classes while working full time in a medical lab. She attended Howard College and then became a registered medical technologist. She worked a short time at Highland Baptist. In 1955, Joanna married John "Johnsie" F. Schaefer and moved to Hoover, Alabama to raise her family. Joanna, who was well respected in her field, had her work published in the American Journal of Medicine Technology. She enjoyed 25 1/2 years working in the lab at UAB and was an avid Blazers fan!

Joanna loved her Savior, the Lord Jesus, with all her heart, and she loved God's Word. She was a powerful prayer warrior and strong woman. She left a legacy to her family of God's amazing love and faithfulness and was an example to all who knew her. Only heaven knows what a wonderful and eternal impact all her many years of devoted praying have had on her family, her friends, and the world at large. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Joanna is preceded in death by her first husband, Earl Allison Hammer Jr., her father, Reverend John Hill Baxter, her mother, Jessie Baxter, her siblings Marjorie Baxter, Donald Baxter, Francis Baxter, Wanada Baxter Holic, Stuart Baxter, and her second husband, John Frederick Schaefer. She is survived by an incredible legacy of love consisting of her son, Earl Allison Schaefer (Jeanie), twin daughters: Janice Laatsch (Larry), and Jessie Ange; Grandchildren, Chris Laatsch (Leigh), Todd Schaefer (Rhonda), Tim Laatsch (Rebecca), Heather Schaefer Wilson (Kerry), Stephen Ange, Mark Schaefer (Claire), Lauretta Laatsch, 15 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

A Graveside service will be at 11:00AM, Friday, January 14,2022, at Elmwood Cemetery, Chris Laatsch, Joanna's eldest grandson, has the honor of delivering the eulogy.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Samaritan's Purse:

Samaritan's Purse

PO Box 3000

Boone, NC 28607

828-262-1980

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the SCHAEFER family.