Emily Jo-Anne Stiles Hubbs, of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at 86 years of age.
Jo-Anne was a Franklin native, the eldest of 11 children born to George and Agnes Stiles. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hubbs; two sisters, Patsy Drake and Pru Anderson; two brothers, Nelson Stiles and Steve Stiles, and a grandson, Peter Hubbs. Surviving siblings include Alma Bryson, Becky Holland, Dan Stiles, Fred Stiles, Jean Wells and Margaret Banks. She is survived by five sons and their wives; George and Nancy Hubbs of Gaithersburg, MD, Doug and Patti Hubbs, Bob and Glenda Hubbs, Tim and Michele Hubbs and David and Rita Hubbs, all of Franklin, NC. Additionally, she is survived by nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, whom she adored immensely.
Jo-Anne was active in multiple churches throughout her life as a Sunday school teacher, bible school coordinator and teacher, and supporter of missions and missionaries around the world. She spent many hours studying the Bible, talking about it with others and trying to understand what God wanted her to do in life. Her home church for the past few years was Holly Springs Baptist Church. She was also very involved in Eastern Star, becoming the Franklin chapter's Worthy Matron in 2002.
Jo-Anne worked all her life, first as the eldest of 11siblings, then the mother of five sons. She was a seamstress for several textile mills, and sold cosmetics door-to-door (many years without a car). She owned and operated "Alley Crafts Yarn Shop" in Franklin, and gained a reputation for always helping others in any way that she could. She loved gardening, eating and sharing food from her garden and canning what was not immediately needed. She also enjoyed keeping her chickens.
Jo-Anne loved to sew, knit, crochet and quilt. She made countless sweaters, blankets, booties, and quilts, including several quilts of valor. She welcomed any chance to show others how to make these things.
She will be missed by all who knew her. In her last weeks, her sons and daughters-in-law helped care for her around the clock. In addition, there are two angels who made her life much more bearable. The first is Fern Walker, who helped Jo-Anne at least one day each week doing anything she needed done. The second is Peggy James, who came by every day to lift Jo-Anne's spirits and who fast became a major help to her sons/daughters in the care of their beloved mom. The five sons came to regard her as the sister they never had.
The family will receive friends at Macon Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16th. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 17th in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Donnie Seagle will officiate. Private graveside services will be held at Tellico Baptist Church, which was Jo-Anne and Robert's home church for many years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a Christian ministry anywhere in the world.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.