Jo Ann Kassel

Jo Ann Kassel, 70, died Sunday night at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson in Ridgeland from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday with a Rosary service to follow. Funeral services will begin with visitation at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gluckstadt, with the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m., followed by interment at St. Joseph's cemetery.
Mrs. Kassel was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Morvant, and a daughter, Cynthia Ann Kassel.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, John Kassel, and their children, Karen Gordon, Carolyn Lyon and her husband Lee Lyon, Greg Kassel and his wife Cristy, all of Madison, Gail Marie Walter and her husband John Walter of Knoxville, TN., and David Kassel and wife Donna, of Oxford. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, John Wilder of Ridgeland, Blake, Megan, Kristin and Grace Lyon, Brett, Katy, and Scotty Kassel all of Madison, Jessica Kassel of Tupelo, Matthew, Michelle, Mary, and Margaret Walter of Knoxville, TN., Kevin, Noah, Cory, and Sara Ann Kassel of Oxford, and one great-grandchild, Denon Wilder, of Madison.
A native of New Orleans, Mrs. Kassel was a resident of the Jackson area for over 40 years. She was an administrative assistant at AFLAC before joining her husband in founding Kassel Tile, Inc. in 1978, where she was bookkeeper until her retirement in January of this year. She was a devout parishioner of St. Richard's in Jackson and then St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where she was an active participant in numerous ministries for each. Most notably, she was instrumental in the inception and success of the Gluckstadt German Festival. She often served as a volunteer at the Stewpot in Canton. She magnified her faith through experience with the Cursillo movement. She spent much of the last two years caring for her mother, who passed away in December.
For those fortunate enough to have befriended Jo Ann, they all were all assured a true friend forever. If a smile could offer nutrition, then she fed the five thousand her entire life. Those of us fortunate enough to call her family have been blessed with an example of grace and unconditional love that will carry us until we see her again.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Stewpot Community Services, 1100 W. Capitol St., Jackson 39203, Birthright of .Jackson, P.O. Box 13755, .Jackson 39236, or St. Joseph Endowment Fund, 127 Church Rd., Madison 39110.