Joann Jeanette Platt
February 6, 1932 – September 16, 2018
Grandma’s hands told a story of love, right down to her fingertips. At the age of 11, grandma’s mother passed away, so her hands set about the work of the household; the cooking, cleaning, laundry and tending to her two brothers, while her dad worked the farm. Her hands toiled hard to make a home for a family without a wife and mother. At 18 years of age, Grandma gave her hands in marriage, and loved, held, and honored one man faithfully, for 67 years. Her hands made clothing for her growing children and crocheted blankets to keep warm with. Her hands sewed and reaped from her vegetable garden, and lovingly led the flowers in her garden to bloom with life.
Grandma’s hands first answered the call to learn to play the organ so that there would still be music in her small church after an aged organist retired. Even up to her last weeks on earth, her hands would glide across the keys, praising her Lord and Savior. Grandma’s hands served many children and youth in her church and community as they prepared lessons and illustrations for the classes she taught. Her hands raised 5 children of her own, teaching them, giving discipline when needed, and loving embraces the rest of the time. Her hands could always be found lifting or holding one of her many grandchildren; this was one of her favorite joys. Grandma’s hands would often hug you, and not let go. Her hands would just linger around your neck as if she was giving you all the love she had to give.
Grandma’s hands held the Word of God as she read, and folded in prayer often…bringing her before her God, the only one who could answer the deepest prayers of her heart, and speak into the concerns and circumstances of her life. Her hands never stopped serving the Lord, and they never stopped giving love to all who needed it. I have no doubt, that upon entering the gates of Heaven, she wrapped her hands around Jesus and didn’t let go for a long time. And now she has joined the heavenly chorus with grandpa, and the many others who have gone on before.
We love you grandma, and oh my, how we will miss your famous “never-let-go” hugs, your sweet smile, and kind spirit. But one day when we see Jesus, we’ll see you again too. We all look forward to the “never- let-go” hug waiting for us there.
Love, Deanon