Willa Jean Johnson Cagle, 87, of Rogersville, passed away on January 29, 2015 after an extended illness. The visitation with family will be held Saturday, January 31, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Elkins East Chapel. The funeral will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. with burial in Civitan Cemetery in Rogersville.
Mrs. Cagle was born on October 28, 1927 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She spent most of her life in Rogersville, Alabama after moving there as a young girl. She married James Alton Cagle of Rogersville on January 24, 1944 prior to his deployment overseas during World War II. The two remained lovingly united in marriage for 65 years until his death in 2009. Mr. and Mrs. Cagle were devoted parents to three daughters, Carolyn Jean Cagle Akers, Cathryn Joyce Cagle, and Marilyn Cagle McWilliams. They took great joy in their seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Throughout their marriage, they were dedicated members of New Georgia Church of Christ in Anderson, where Mr. Cagle served as an elder and Mrs. Cagle taught many Bible classes and Vacation Bible Schools. Their steadfast faith in God was the hallmark of their marriage, family, and life together.
Mrs. Cagle earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in English and Special Education from the University of North Alabama. She taught English and Literature at Athens, Lexington and Lauderdale County High Schools. After many years in the classroom, she became the Special Education Coordinator of Lauderdale County Schools until her retirement. She was a devoted servant to her community, holding leadership positions in both the Pilot Club and Phi Delta Kappa. In her retirement, she co-authored an autobiographical account of her family with her beloved sister, Lucille Wilson, called We Write These Lines to Tell You…Memories. Mrs. Cagle enjoyed traveling, reading, studying her Bible, and playing the piano and organ. Her greatest joy in her life was spending time with her family.
Mrs. Cagle was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Cagle, her daughter, Cathryn Cagle, her son-in-law Danny Bishop McWilliams, Sr.; her parents, William “Doc” Johnson and Jeannie Mahatha Johnson; brothers, Elmer “Buddy” Johnson and Robert Johnson, and her brother-in-law, Ralph Wilson. She is survived by her sister Mary Lucille Johnson Wilson and sisters-in-law Mildred Johnson, Shirley Hargrave (Ernest), Joyce Cagle, and brothers-in-law Bill Cagle (Hazel) and James McCartney; daughters Carolyn Jean Cagle Akers (William T.), Marilyn Cagle McWilliams, and son-in-law Ray Joe Cagle; grandchildren Caryn Akers Hairell (Kris), Christopher James Cagle (Hope), Juli Akers Richey (Ralph), Danny B. McWilliams, Jr. (Allison), Jennifer McWilliams Mouchette (Tom), Beth Cagle Fields (Keith), and Laura McWilliams Swint (Stuart); great-grandchildren William Hairell, Preston Hairell, Haley Fields, Abby McWilliams, Lauren Mouchette, Anna Cagle Richey, Aubrey Fields, Caroline Richey, Bill Mouchette, Trey McWilliams, Jackson Swint, Kathryn Mouchette, Sarah Cagle, Marilyn Swint, Ryan Cagle and Gavin Swint. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to their extended family, church family, and loving caregivers Hattie and Diane, all of whom blessed Mrs. Cagle and her children with their love, devotion and support during the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Cagle’s memory to the Rogersville Public Library.
You are invited to visit the on-line guest registry at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com.
