Johnnie L. Lassiter

Johnnie Kate LeCroy Lassiter, 81, of Marietta, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 29, at East Cobb United Methodist Church, Marietta, with Rev. Dr. Brian Germano and Rev. James L. Perry officiating.

Mrs. Lassiter is survived by her children, Stanley Michael Lassiter & wife, Cheryl, of Marietta, Harriet L. Lauria & husband, Sam, of Tucson, Arizona; and Gregory Thomas Lassiter & wife, Bonnie, of Marietta; five grandchildren, Michael C. Lassiter & wife, Jennifer, Christopher S. Lassiter & wife, Angela, Benjamin H. Lassiter, Samuel T. Lauria, and Katie R. Lauria; two step-grandchildren, Hope Emerson and Heidi Garguilo; five great-grandchildren, Hannah G. Lassiter, Coleman T. Lassiter, Reid E. Lassiter, Samuel J. Lauria, and Ross D. Emerson.

Johnnie L. Lassiter was born September 7, 1930 to John T. and Alma Kate LeCroy of Marietta, Georgia. Her birthplace was RFD 2, Marietta, Georgia, now known as Roswell Street just East of Fairground where the Wells Fargo Bank now stands. Her life was surrounded by family as she grew up with many LeCroy relatives who lived within a few blocks of each other. However, it was the time spent at her grandparents’ home on Sewell Mill and Roswell Rd, “The Campground Community,” where her spiritual life grew under the influence of the Campground United Methodist Church year round and the annual Marietta Campmeeting every summer. In addition to her spiritual growth at the Marietta Campmeeting, Johnnie Kate also met the future love of her life, Harry Lassiter, as he attended Campmeeting with the Lassiter family of East Cobb.

Johnnie Kate attended the Waterman Street School, followed by Marietta High School where she was in the graduating class of 1947. Following graduation, she began her employment for her father in the Clerk of Court office in the Cobb County Courthouse. It was there that she began understanding the intricacies and proper business principles of recording deeds and documents to learning the meaning of the business they represented. She and Harry dated throughout the time he served in the Navy in the Pacific. After his April, 1946 discharge from the Navy, Harry attended and graduated from the Southern School of Pharmacists. The two soon married in March of 1948. Following marriage and during Harry’s internship, the two resided in her father’s garage apartment on Roswell Street. Following Harry’s internship, the two of them soon opened their first business, Lassiter Drug Company, located on the corner of Roswell St. and Fairground St. in a building owned by a dear friend, Clyde McConnell.

Their business grew over the years with Harry behind the counter filling prescriptions and Johnnie behind the scenes managing the day to day operations and finances of the business. Johnnie was one to keep herself as sharp as she kept her business affairs. Resembling someone much younger than her true age, she stayed active, taking on every task or challenge in front of her. Everyone who has met Johnnie over the years knows her acute response to business and life’s issues, constantly first on the scene to assist so many Mariettans, as well as friends and family in need.

Her history and culture had inspired her to be the go-to person in the LeCroy Family, as well as the matriarch of the Lassiter Family businesses, following the death of her husband. She was Co-Manager with her nephew, James Lassiter, of Lassiter Property Investment, as well as Principal and Owner of OK Rock Enterprise, LLC, established in 2006.

She was fortunate to have the great musical genes of the LeCroy family, and her voice could still hit alto notes with grace. Whether playing the piano, organ, or singing gospel hymns to the great-grandchildren, she took pleasure in her own music and the music of those around her. Cooking was another love of Johnnie’s. Handed down were great cooking skills she put to use for family and friends. Even with her busy schedule she always found time to produce the best meals and desserts for her family and friends to experience and enjoy. They always lined up for her exceptional yeast rolls and cakes, passed down from her mother, Miss Kate. Another talent of Johnnie’s was engaging a person or group in conversations about Marietta and Cobb County history, as she amazed others with her sharp memory of family names, dates, and events.

Johnnie Lassiter was an active member of the East Cobb United Methodist Church. She has won several service awards, and has been recognized by both her church and her community. The star in her heart has always been Campmeeting, and time spent on the ground of the Marietta Campground. A lifetime member, cabin owner, past president and leader, she dedicated herself to the ten-day revival of worship and true Christian fellowship with family and friends.

Johnnie unexpectedly left our world on June 25, 2012, leaving an irreplaceable void of knowledge and wisdom within our community, but more importantly our lives. So many hearts are broken, but with time, they will be filled with the great memories, treasures, and love gifted by her amazing time spent with all of us.