Margaret “Joanne” (Angell) Teagarden went home to Heaven on July 26, 2023, at the age of 93, 11 days after her husband, Dwight Maurice Teagarden, of 69 wonderful years. God was merciful to grant their wish of passing together.
Joanne was born on October 16, 1929, in Alto Pass, Illinois, the middle child of Margaret Lavine (Caveness) and Lester Edwin Angell. She grew up on a farm that grew peaches, apples, and tomatoes, among other crops. As a “tomboy” she loved climbing trees and being outdoors as much as possible.
She met her husband, Dwight Maurice Teagarden, on a blind date in St. Louis. They were married on May 28, 1954, and in 1958 had their first son, Timothy Neil. They later moved to Waterford, Michigan, where she and Dwight had two more children, Julia Faye and Grant Alan. As a stay-at-home mom, she encouraged the uniqueness in each of her children and was always their utmost supporter. She often managed alone while her husband was away on work trips and did it with grace and resilience, keeping up with their various sports and band activities. Throughout her life, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
She and Dwight enjoyed serving at Waterford Community Church in Michigan. In 2000, they moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, and became a part of Hebron Baptist Church. In 2022, they moved into the Dahlonega Assisted Living in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Barely sick a day in her life, Joanne was a very hardy woman. As a young woman she hitchhiked to the Grand Ole Opry and in her 60s walked a mile in the snow with her luggage to get to her daughter’s house. In her late 80s she was mowing her lawn and in her 90s she could still walk pretty fast with her rollator walker.
Joanne loved Jesus and poured her faith into her own children as well as countless other children through Bible clubs and church. She loved to pray and would pray for people all over the world. If she knew you, she most likely prayed for you. She could often be found whispering prayers under her breath while washing dishes and was truly a woman who prayed without ceasing.
In addition to praying, she spread encouragement through letters and cards. Joanne was an adept correspondent with friends and family near and far, and her regular handwritten notes were filled with updates, Bible verses, and prayers. Her grandchildren fondly remember receiving birthday cards, even to their college dorms.
Joanne truly loved people. She would tell us the names of the waitresses at her favorite restaurants and knew all about their personal lives. Once they were both invited to the wedding of a waitress – and they went!
Though she rarely spent much money on herself, Joanne generously gave to many mission organizations. Often, she would discreetly slip someone some cash as they were headed off somewhere.
Joanne will be remembered as an unassuming, loving woman who loved God with all her heart and demonstrated that in her faith walk every single day.
She is predeceased by her son, Timothy Teagarden, husband of 69 years, Dwight Teagarden, parents Margaret and Lester Angell, sister, Faye Janice (Angell) Shelton, and son-in-law, Rev. Mark Reon. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Julia Reon, her son and his wife, Grant and Anne Teagarden, daughter-in-law, Carla Teagarden as well as 6 grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Grandma T” – Rachel, Jessee, Grace, and Lindsey Reon, and Kristen and Josiah Teagarden.
Services for both her and Dwight will be held at Hebron Church in Dacula, on Sunday, September 3rd at 2:00 pm. Donations in her honor may be made to one of her favorite charities in Pontiac, Michigan, “Power Company Kids Club.” https://thepckc.org/give/
