Joanne McClanahan Platt of Columbus, Mississippi

June 14, 1930 - March 30, 2023

Joanne McClanahan Platt joined the Lord on March 30, 2023. She was a joyful presence who balanced being a “Mary” and a “Martha” well, spending precious time with the Lord studying the Word and praying fervently on her knees while also loving her family and friends and filling her home with warmth and kindness as well as great food and beautiful flowers.

Joanne was born in Columbus on June 14, 1930, and she became a Christian at the age of thirteen. In her personally written testimony, Joanne shared that she strived to live by 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” And that she did. She also wrote: “I have always found God to be faithful to His Word – the Holy Bible. Because of my faith in Him, I have that marvelous peace and joy that comes only from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful that Jesus lived and showed me the way to live and died to pay my sin debt. My heart’s desire is to follow where He leads me and to take advantage of opportunities that I have to tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ.”

A lifelong teacher, Joanne taught in public school classrooms, an adult literacy program, Sunday school rooms (for more than 60 years), and in her kitchen. Her grandchildren enjoyed being taught how to make fluffy biscuits that accompanied Sunday lunches and holiday meals. Her voice exuded kindness and grace in her teaching, and her heels had a distinct patter easily recognized throughout Brandon Elementary’s halls.

As a hostess, Joanne was a genteel Southern lady. She organized events, planned food, recruited help, and pulled off big events without a snare – and with a clean kitchen. From her sewing and garden club events to organizing friends to serve at Shadowlawn for the pilgrimage tour to feeding construction crews building First Baptist Church’s Miracle Building, Joanne brought people together, served them, and fellowshipped together with them.

Quality time together with family was important to Joanne. As a child, she and her family spent summers and extended times at Family Camp. Later, she hosted weekly Sunday lunches to spend time with local family. To visit kids and grandkids further away, a road trip was a delight to her. She enjoyed time with her family at the beach, Smith Lake, at the farm, and having everyone together for holidays – all the holidays. With her heart for mission work, she participated in several short-term mission trips and even took some of her grandchildren with her on the international journeys.

In 1950, she married Samuel Britton (Sammy) Platt, III. Together, they leave behind four children - Britt Platt (Sandi) of Satsuma, Alabama; Kathy Millwood of Cartersville, Georgia; Wesley Platt (Dianne) of Clinton, Mississippi; and Nanci Claire McPhail (Frank) of Augusta, Georgia; her nine grandchildren - Jerome’ Hatfield (Amanda), Jessica Mason (Andy), Carley Dear (Todd), Skip Platt (Kristin), Steven Platt (Ashley), Kyle Platt (Summer), Stanley (Kirra Mangione) Millwood, Matthew McPhail, and Jim McPhail (Katherine), and a beautiful group of great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jerome’ Hatfield, Andy Mason, Todd Dear, Skip (Samuel B. Platt V), Steven Platt, Kyle Platt, Stanley Millwood, Matthew McPhail, and Jim McPhail.

Honorary pallbearers will be the staff at Trinity Healthcare Center.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday April 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm followed by a 3:00 pm service celebrating “Joyful Joanne’s” life in the sanctuary of the old First Baptist Church at 202 7th Street North. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery.