Jo Ann Colvin Sawyer

She was born March 15, 1933, in Albertville, AL to the late Eloise (Milner) and Dalton Colvin.

JoAnn was a 1951 graduate of Albertville High School. She married Howard Sawyer, a Church of Christ minister, immediately following her high school graduation.

JoAnn studied hard and became an LPN in 1966, all while raising her children, working, and being an active preacher’s wife. She worked in various nursing capacities; OB, Post-Op, Private Duty, and several MD offices. She received many accolades for her hard work and kindness to her patients.

She was happiest in her kitchen, cooking and baking for her family, friends, and people in need. JoAnn had a reputation as an excellent cook, and her recipes were featured in several local cookbooks. Occasionally, she was hired to prepare cakes and other foods. She was active in her church (East Brainerd Church of Christ) organizing and preparing food for large groups of people.

JoAnn was a very proud and devoted mother. She loved telling everyone about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her heart was broken in 2018 when her daughter, Denise, died and again in 2021 when she lost her oldest daughter, Karen. Her faith and devotion in God were what carried her through the death of her children, and her husband of 66 years, Howard.

She loved going to church, and despite crippling arthritis in her arms and shoulders could be seen singing and raising her arms in praise to Jesus. Her special prayer and greatest hope were that all her family and friends would come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and be baptized.

Survivors include her children, Ronetta La Guardia and Kelton (Karen) Sawyer of Chattanooga, TN; sisters, Gail (Jack) Smith of Albertville, AL and Carolyn Norton of Muscle Shoales, AL; grandchildren, Louis (Jennifer) La Guardia, Edward (Tanisha) La Guardia, Aaron (Nicky) Sawyer, & Amrey Miller; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews also survive. She has a special relationship with her great-granddaughter, Ashlyn McKaig, with whom she played a very important role in her formative years.

The family will receive friends Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 1-3 PM at East Brainerd Church of Christ (7745 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421). A memorial service will begin at 3:00 with Minister Brad Blair officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund of East Brainerd Church of Christ; Chattanooga Rescue Mission; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; or the Chatt Foundation.

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.