Joanne Sosebee

Joanne Steward Sosebee was born July 13, 1935 in Manchester, Georgia and met Jesus face-to-face on May 31, 2023. She loved God, her family, and others in selfless ways her entire life journey.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Tom and Sarah Steward, who raised her and who she called Mama and Daddy. She was also preceded in death by Robert Eugene Sosebee, her high school sweetheart and husband of 67 years. She loved nothing more than spoiling him in every possible way.

Joanne is survived by her son, Robin Dale Sosebee (Teresa), and her daughter Ginger Sosebee Gaines (Charles); 4 grandchildren, Charles Landon Gaines (Amber), Corrie Gaines Alvaro (John Jay), Amanda Sosebee Faber (Chris),  and Robert Daniel Sosebee, as well as 7 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

God and the church were very important in Joanne’s life. She was a long time member of several churches close to where she lived at the time. First was the Methodist Church as a child, then Northside Baptist in Manchester with Robert and his family, First Baptist Church of Smyrna, Georgia during her early years of marriage, LaBelle Heights Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia where her children grew up and where she served as Church Secretary for several years, Liberty Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA where they lived for twenty years, and lastly Pleasant View Community Church, in Pleasant View, TN for the 6 1/2 years she lived in Tennessee.  She truly had the gift of helping others and worked every year in Vacation Bible School, participated and led in Women's Missions groups, and worked in many other ways behind the scenes.

Joanne was very loving, generous and compassionate and always made friends so easily everywhere she went. She was always the happiest when she could make others happy. Her children recall that she made time to include something fun in every day. She loved teaching them and playing table games together, and it remains one of their favorite pastimes.  She played the role of live-in nurse, chef and housekeeper for her daughter and daughter-in-law after the birth of her four grandchildren, as well as multiple times following family members' surgeries. She always knew how to make others feel like they were king or queen for the day when they were with her.  She was also the first to organize a meal for any friend or neighbor following illness or during times of bereavement.

She really enjoyed word games, and she was an avid reader, frequently reading large novels in less than a week. For a few years after her eyesight failed, she enjoyed audio books. She also enjoyed bowling with friends and family in her younger adulthood (and she even won a few tournaments). Even with all of her physical afflictions in her last years of life, she never complained or wanted sympathy from others, instead she reached out to befriend and love others around her, always saying something just to show care and brighten their day.

All of her family will dearly miss her and remember that she made the best cornbread anywhere (with no recipe to pass along).  She also made the best pecan pralines every year during the holidays.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember their Nana as a bright, loving and joyful presence in their lives.  She faithfully served the LORD and left a legacy of faith as a treasure for her family. Praise the LORD that she can walk, see and hear in freedom today.  She causes each of us to acknowledge the importance of the Gospel, family, and the Holy Spirit's supernatural comfort and strength. We praise God for her life and salvation today.

There will be a Memorial Service honoring the memory and legacy of Joanne and Robert since the pandemic prevented a gathering following his death. The service will be held during a covered-dish fellowship meal immediately after the morning worship service at Pleasant View Community Church on Sunday, June 25th.

Online condolences may be made at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com