Karen Jo "Jojo" Mann Teutsch

Karen Jo “Jojo” Mann Teutsch, 71, of Bossier City, La., entered into the presence of the Lord on November 10, 2022, after a valiant yearlong fight against cancer.

Karen was born on August 14, 1951, to Edward Levy, Jr. and Mary Sue Roberts Mann in Shreveport, La. After graduating from Byrd High School in Shreveport, La., in 1969, she married her high school sweetheart, Russell, in 1971. In 1978, she took on her most important job of mother, a role she excelled at, passing on her strong faith in Jesus to her son which allowed her to bare witness to the fruits of her legacy through her grandchildren’s professions of faith.

Karen ran a small bookkeeping business throughout her adult life. After her son left home, she pursued her dreams of obtaining a college degree and graduated from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 2002 with a bachelor’s in psychology. Karen later worked at Willis Knighton Medical Center for 15 years before her retirement in 2015. In her free time, she served as a chaplain volunteer at Willis Knighton. She was an active member of First Bossier Church and the Morning Glories Bible study group, whose members held a special place in her heart. Karen enjoyed writing poetry, reading, and was an excellent cook.

Karen will be remembered by many for her love of the Lord, her strength in adversity and unwavering faith, her big heart, her love for others, and being a support and encouragement. She strived to use her cancer diagnosis as an opportunity to be God’s salt and light and to be an inspiration to others. Her grandkids will remember her for always being willing to buy and read them books, playing make believe and doing puzzles with them, and making the best chocolate chip cookies.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother John Hampton Mann. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Russell Teutsch of Bossier City, La., son and daughter-in-law Matthew and Melissa Teutsch of Demorest, Ga., sister Cynthia M. Brooks of Longwood, Fl., brother and sister-in-law Edward Levy III and Diane Mann of Lady Lake, Fl., sister Annette L. Mann of Longwood, Fl., brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bruce and Mary Teutsch of Plain Dealing, La., grandchildren Juliette and John Hayden Teutsch of Demorest, Ga., and numerous nephews and nieces.

Before her passing, Karen wrote these words which the family would like to share with everyone who knew her, loved her, and supported her and her family during this time: “I thank The Lord for His love and grace. I thank The Lord for each and every one of you that have taken it upon yourselves to be a part of our journey. Thank you for your love, your support, your encouragement and definitely your prayers. As much as we love you, may you always remember that our Heavenly Father’s love for you is so much deeper. Embrace Him and thank Him for each and every blessing He has given you.”

The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the following for being the hands and feet of Jesus to them: First Bossier Church family, Ron and Cheryl Martin, Bob and Linda Robinson, Gary and Kathy Rushworth, and Steve and Sherry Hill. We could never repay you enough for all you’ve done for us and thank God for your friendship.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.

I want to leave a legacy,
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough?
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

-from Legacy by Nichole Nordeman