Leslie Gann

(From Parker Mortuary)

My mother was the most loving, compassionate, and genuine person I’ve ever met. She radiated warmth to everyone she came in contact with. She was big on volunteering and was in charge of a club at Joplin South Middle School that encouraged kids to volunteer within the community. She often volunteered with the Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House, Joplin Humane Society, and many more. She was also incredibly passionate about animals and would do just about anything for them. My dad was always a good sport about the countless animals she would bring home.

My mother was a woman with many talents, such as teaching, gardening, and crafting. She was extremely active with scouting and was a dedicated scout leader. She was loved by those close to her. She was a goofball, with a dark sense of humor, that shocked many. For example,she said she was pregnant after multiple tests came back with a false positive when she was diagnosed with cancer, to “lighten the mood.” What made my mother so special besides her unusual sense of humor, was her overly accepting, and loving heart.

Although she came from a big family, she still took it upon herself to adopt many friends into the family. She had enough love to go around, and always tried to stay in touch with even the most distant of relatives. She was unbelievably patient. For example, she was able to go on a roadtrip with two teenage girls for ten hours one way so that we could go to a concert and visit a friend, without complaint. Another testament to her patience was her incredible ability to answer non stop questions from her three year old granddaughter without ever letting on that she was perturbed. Perhaps the most obvious example, was raising my brother and I, as we were not easily managed with our extra curricular activities such as band and sports which she was always very involved.

She kept a brave face until the end, and never let on just how much pain she was feeling, in an attempt to protect us. In fact, if you asked her, she was never in pain, she was just “uncomfortable.” In conclusion, my mother was loved deeply by those that knew her, and cherished by her entire family. This is a very difficult loss for all of us, but this heartbreak can be endured because she isn't suffering anymore. Her legacy will live on through the lives of all of her friends and family whom she was able to positively impact in one way or another.

Funeral services for Leslie R. Gann, 49, will be Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 1:30 pm for the viewing and 2:00pm for service, at the Christ Church of Oronogo Student Ministries North building. Mrs. Gann passed away Wednesday September 18, 2018 at her residence. Survivors include her husband Terry Gann, daughter Cathline Gann, son Michael Gann (Melissa), mother Katherine Bland, sisters Marion Pink (Brian), Jackie Doke (Jason), brothers William Shipley, Elvin Leslie Bland II (Cara), Jerry Bland (April), Dennis Bland (A.J.), grandchildren Jonathan Gann, Kaitlynn Duggan, Leslie Gann and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Gann is preceded in death by her father Elvin Leslie Bland I. Mrs. Gann was a native of Missouri and a resident of Oxford Al. She was a member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church who was passionate about her faith. She was a very giving person always putting others first. She loved gardening, reading, and loved her pets. She was a service oriented person always volunteering for various organization in the Community. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

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