Joann Johnson (Ragan) Longmire

Born April 26, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Floyd Wellington Johnson and Martha Ivar Wilson Johnson of Bemis, Tennessee. She enjoyed sharing stories of her unique experiences of growing up in the mill town of Bemis. She graduated from J.B. Young High School in 1948.

Joann was married to James O Ragan, Jr. in 1953. After his death in 1969, she raised their five children, ages two through fourteen, on her own. Her strong faith in God guided her through the years as she nurtured and raised her family.

In 1989, she married Grady L. Longmire and they enjoyed 28 years of a loving marriage. He preceded her in death in 2017.

As a lifelong member of Bemis United Methodist Church, Joann loved her church and was dedicated to a life of service to others. She volunteered in many ministries, including serving as an Adult Sunday School teacher and working in the Youth Outreach on Wednesday nights. Joann had a beautiful alto voice and was a faithful member of the church choir for many years. When the church doors were open, Joann was there.

An excellent baker, Joann was known for her delicious desserts. She worked for many years in food service, first at South Side High School where her baked goods were popular with students and faculty alike. Later, she was employed by Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where her reputation as a wonderful baker continued. With friends and relatives, she was perhaps best known for her Venetian Tortes, receiving pre-orders for them for the holiday season. She contributed multiple cakes to the church bazaar every year. They were always sold out before she ever delivered them to the church.

Joann was a collector of recipes. She would spend hours pouring over magazines and newspapers, choosing new dishes to try. She loved to cook for large family gatherings and church functions. She was famous for baking at least four cakes for the family Christmas dinner. One year, the family tried to limit her out of concern that she was doing too much. She didn’t bring cakes that year, but instead, baked an overabundance of cookies, candies, and other treats. The family never tried to control her baking again.

Joann was predeceased by her son, James Mark Ragan, and daughter, Janet Ragan Snow; brothers Floyd (Helen), H.C., David; and sisters Alma Kate Rush (J.L.), Shirley Watlington (John), Sue Roark (Joe), and Vivian Rogers.

She is survived by her daughters Betty Ragan Siano (Jim), Laura Ragan Mosier (Tony), Sara Ragan Thompson (Harley), and son-in-law Sidney Snow.

Joann treasured time spent with her thirteen grandchildren: James Mark Wells, James Siano (Lizzie), Matt Siano, Allison Siano McKibben (Kurt), William Snow (Nicole), Nathan Snow (Laura), Tyler Mosier, Travis Mosier, Harley Clark Thompson (Katie), Daniel Thompson (Katie), Katie Lauren Thompson, David Thompson, and Andrew Thompson. She was also blessed with ten great grandchildren: Izzy Wells, Emersyn Wells, Tripp Wells, Jude Siano, Leon McKibben, Cooper McKibben, Nolan Snow, Julian Snow, Kylee Mosier, and Grace Mosier. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The entire family would like to express our gratitude to all of the staff of Bells Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care and love, and to Sherry Swietnicki for her devotion and companionship as the in-home caregiver.

A visitation with friends and loved ones will be held Thursday, October 30 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home South Chapel, 1544 South Highland, Jackson, TN . The funeral service will begin at 2:00pm with burial to follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson, TN.