Happy Birthday in Heaven.  sure do miss this lady.

So sorry to learn of Jo's passing.   I knew her many years ago when she visited and shopped at Caton's Grocery on Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville.   Her smile and kind words were always welcomed and she truly shared her love of God to everyone around.  Although our paths have not crossed for many years, it was always a blessing to be in her presence.

George and Steve, 
We are sad to hear of your mother's passing. I remember her from grammar school as a kind and nurturing soul.  She will be missed. 
Mark & Jeannie Hurst

It was my privilege and honor to know Jo thru the Senior Adult ministry at Grace Baptist Church.   She was always so friendly and nice to everyone.  She sat behind me at Church services.  She was certainly an asset to everyone who knew her.  She is at rest and she will be missed by everyone who knew her.  Robert and Mary Kelly.

Please see Letters to Mom from Steve and George https://sangalaforest.com/

A Celebration of Mom
-Steve Laggis
(Note: broken into multiple comments to fit character limit)

I’ve already lived my sermon – made lots of mistakes but am forgiven by Jesus’ blood.   Don’t cry – just meet me in Heaven.  Mom wrote these words in her arrangement instructions which excluded a funeral service and an open casket.   She insisted we exclude any picture in her obituary.  How true that quote of Mom.  We have tried to honor the letter of the law of her wishes while honoring her through the slide show and a few pages of written rather than spoken memorial words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.  Against such there is no law (Galatians 5: 22-23).  My mother displayed these fruits through times of peace and adversity more than anyone I’ve met.   Mom advised me to “just always be kind” and “just don’t do anything that requires you to ask forgiveness” (well…).  I noted UT Medical Center’s “Be Kind” promotion during Mom’s recent stay.  How appropriate.   Always be kind.  Against these things there is no law.

Mom loved God with a rock-solid Christian faith and was devoted to His service.   She began college at Carson Newman in consideration of entering missionary work.   At a young age I heard Reverend Cullum tell her “You’re a missionary, Jo!” as she prepared for Vacation Bible School.   Mom humbly deflected his comments.   In her final hours she celebrated that she would soon be in Heaven and see Jesus.   She sang Will the Circle Be Unbroken through her oxygen mask.  She joyously called friends and family to let them know she would soon be in Heaven and joked to a cousin that she would “get her in.”

A Celebration of Mom, continued from previous comment
-Steve Laggis
(Note: broken into multiple comments to fit character limit)

Mom loved her family and her service to her family took precedent over all Earthly things (even over hot French fries!).   She provided the opportunity to hear the Word of God, continually remembered her family in prayer, sacrificed self to meet the needs of others and cooked, baked and cooked some more!   I believe her love of family drove her daily fight for life, health and independence.  A fight to be with family one more day and to live independently (so as not to be a burden in her mind).  In the Emergency Room last week she asked that I pull the blanket over her shoulders…” but not over my face!”   It took me a couple of minutes before I laughed and told her not to say things like that.

Mom was a joy to others.   This included her dearest friend, Jane.  I witnessed the love and joy with which church members approached her before services.   I saw health service providers light up at her mental acuity, blue eyes and her sense of humor.  She and my wife, Charlene, embraced in love.   Mom reaped the joy and service she sowed as dear friends helped her with house chores, brought her goodies from home or from business and gave her rides to medical appointments (not listing names here as I will surely miss many).  My brother George and sister-in-law, Laura worked tirelessly to keep her living independently in her home to age 90! 

Mom prayed for me and my family daily.  Now she prays and rejoices in the physical presence of our Lord shoulder to shoulder with those who have gone before.

Mom certainly lived her sermon.

My highest regards to the Laggis family who I remember very well.

I loved Ms. Jo. I met her at GBC when I was on staff there. She would sit in the back and I would sit down beside her and we’d just talk and laugh. After we left GBC, we stayed in touch with texting and phone calls and we’d stop by and see her when we were in town. We shared prayer requests a lot and she financially supported the publication of my book THE MARRIAGE MOTIVATOR. She also, just recently, gave a wedding gift to my son. 
What a sweet lady. Can’t wait to see her again in heaven. 
Bryan Robertson and family.

OBITUARY

Jo Hansard Laggis

December 20, 1933 – March 8, 2024

Weaver Funeral Home

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