Joan McGowan LaGrasse, 75, of Fort Morgan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Born on September 12, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, Joan was the eldest of five children born to the late John Benton McGowan, Sr. and Joan McCrea McGowan Wilson. She graduated from Pepperell High School in Lindale, Georgia, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Georgia in Athens, where she was a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She later completed a master’s degree in Education Administration at Middle Tennessee State University.
Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, John Vincent LaGrasse; her three daughters, Kerrick McCrea LaGrasse Malone (Jason) of Homewood, AL; Bistany LaGrasse Bass of Brentwood, TN; and Lelia Benton LaGrasse Nichols (Josh) of Dallas, TX; six beloved grandchildren—Samuel and Gideon Malone, John and William Bass, Dinsmore and Cooper Nichols; and her sister, Diana McGowan Ashworth.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Pauline McGowan Stadnik; her brother, John Benton McGowan, Jr.; and her son, Vincent LaGrasse.
Joan will be remembered as a woman of sharp intellect, unwavering generosity, and a boundless capacity to care for others. A gifted educator early in her career, she devoted countless hours to helping high school mathematics students achieve academic success. She sponsored Odyssey of the Mind and organized mathematics competitions, always striving to create opportunities for students to grow. Her commitment to education extended to her work at the Department of Education, where she supported colleagues and helped strengthen academic programming. Joan understood deeply that strong educational foundations open doors to a lifetime of opportunity.
A champion for women throughout her life, Joan led with compassion and conviction. She served as the Girl Scout Leader of Troop 501—then the largest troop in Middle Tennessee—welcoming girls from all backgrounds, including many without the means to participate. As the owner and CEO of Imagen, she used her business expertise to advocate for women-owned enterprises. Her leadership extended nationally through service on the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South. She was also a founding member of the Women Business Collaborative. Joan’s dedication to women entrepreneurs earned numerous honors, including induction into the WBE Hall of Fame (2020), the WBE Star Award (2016), and CVS Ruby Award for Supplier of the Year. Yet, despite these accolades, she valued most her personal mentorship, her relationships with women leaders, and her lifelong commitment to improving the landscape for women in business.
“Mama” Joan opened her heart and home readily. She raised her children with love, grace, and an endless supply of delicious meals—always paired with an extra dessert for her grandchildren. Her generosity extended far beyond her family; she welcomed friends and relatives in need for months or even years at a time, offering stability, encouragement, and unconditional love. She was a founding member and elder of East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, where her faith and service shaped her community.
A lifelong learner and lover of the natural world, Joan was an avid reader and devoted supporter of Radnor Lake State Park, where she received the Blue Heron Award for her dedication to educating and welcoming visitors. Her home reflected her love of beauty—sunrooms filled with flourishing plants, gardens rich with color, and bird feeders constantly visited by winged friends. In retirement, she cherished her time at the beach, finding peace in the ocean air and the calming rhythm of the waves.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton, Georgia. A celebration of life will be held in the New Year in Nashville, Tennessee.