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Averil
Jo, a forever friend with a beautiful heart filled with laughter and love.
Vicki
A wonderful woman and a wonderful friend for over 40 years!
Andrew and Mary Ellen Mazak
We are saddened to learn of Jo's passing but know that she is with our Lord now. We have fond memories of Jo from Bible Study and fun dinners at China Bell. May God's Peace and comfort be with you all.
Helen Joann Rago
2021-07-27
Helen Joann Rago, age 87, passed away on July 27, 2021 following a valiant struggle with Covid-19.
She was born in Maysville, Oklahoma on September 22, 1933 to the late Henry and Elsie (Carder) Haney. She married Richard Rago on April 4, 1953 who preceded her in death in 2012.
She became a registered nurse in 1970 and specialized in Maternal/Infant care. She helped countless new lives enter the world and was a quiet supporter of women’s rights and reproductive health. Her children remember her as supportive, loving and one who instilled in them a sense of worth and value, encouraged growth in their faith, and always encouraged them to achieve their goals and dreams.
Known to most as Joann, she was always creative, played piano and enjoyed sewing, painting, quilting and many other crafts. After retirement she and husband Rick moved from Ohio to Tennessee where they spent many happy years living in a lakefront home where she welcomed as many friends and family as she could to visit and enjoy their lives of leisure. Following the passing of her husband she lived first in Savannah, Georgia and then moved to Fernandina Beach, FL to be near family.
Joann is survived by her daughter and husband Linda and Ted Copeland, son and wife Louis and Denise Rago and son and wife Michael and Leah Rago. Her grandchildren are Evan Taulbee (wife Laura), Amy Davis (husband Derek), Brandon Rago and preceded in death by grandson Christopher Rago in 2019. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Evan Jr., Ella, Chloe and Sophia Taulbee, and Jackson and Maxwell Davis.
She touched so many lives of friends and family that she has left lasting memories in many hearts. A woman of strong Christian faith, we are comforted to know she is in the arms of her Lord.
Due to distance and the unusual circumstances surrounding these unprecedented times, we do not have a memorial service or visitation planned.
An avid lover of all animals and cats in particular, we ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be considered in her memory to https://www.humanesociety.org/.
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