Helen JoAnn Stutts Triplett, 86, of Lebanon TN, went to be with our Lord on the 28th day of October, 2024. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, on Sunday, November 3, 2024, with Bishop Brian Varnell officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 at Wilson County Memorial at 11 a.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend the Graveside Service. Pallbearers will be: Joel Burnley, Rucker Chunn, Jerry Dies, Curtis Jordan, Don Taylor and Chris Whited.
JoAnn was born to the late Kenneth and Edna Stutts on February 2, 1938, the “baby” of seven siblings. JoAnn married Milburn “Trip” Triplett on October 25, 1957. In 1965, Trip and Jo moved to Lebanon TN where they raised their girls, Jan and Anne. The family enjoyed camping, traveling and NASCAR racing. Jo was a stay-at-home Mom until the girls were older. She then worked, and later purchased, Texas Boot Company Cafeteria, where she met and made many lifelong friends. Later, she worked for Cracker Barrel Distribution from which she retired. Jo loved to sew. She made the girls’ clothes as they were growing up and has sewn and quilted many quilts of which she gave generously to her family and friends. JoAnn loved to crochet and knit as well as collect Coke memorabilia. She also thought her coconut cake was the best around. She said the recipe was a family secret, but the girls haven’t been told where the recipe is located. JoAnn taught her family to put God first in everything and in her last days of life, she could be found reading her Bible that she kept by her chair. She loved her church and worked tirelessly to make sure the church was clean and ready for all to worship.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Milburn “Trip” Triplett, sisters, Elsie Davis, Ruby Pace, Loranne Pettus, Arlie Holland, and brothers, Ralph Stutts and Earl Stutts.
Survivors include her children: Jan (Mike) Ford and Anne (Johnny) Bilbrey; grandchildren: Brandy (Nathan) Holcomb, Logan Baird, Jeff (Candi) Bilbrey, Dana Bilbrey, Laura Beth (Justin) Duke, and Leah Ford; great-grandchildren include: Jackson and Brinley Holcomb, Knox Bilbrey, Jackson Marler, Jordan McNeil, and Alyssa Jones; one sister: Pearl Akers of Savannah TN; and sister-in-law: Sue Daniel of Waynesboro TN; devoted friends: Helen Woods, Francis Caggiano and Jo Sanders; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family with whom she was close and shared many good memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, 449 McCarn Circle, Sevierville TN 37862 in memory of JoAnn. Donations can also be given or mailed to Mt. Juliet Church of God for the Children’s Home at PO Box 897, Mt. Juliet TN 37121. The Children’s Home has always had a special place in our family’s heart.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the many family and friends for your outpouring of love and prayers during this time. A special thanks to the compassionate staff of Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care during our Mom’s last days. A special thanks to Jaime Torres, Brian Varnell, and our talented musicians for making the Celebration of Life complete.
Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
