Jannis Sue Stapp was born to George C. Higby and Opal (Lawson) Higby on July 17, 1948, in Norwood, Missouri. Jan was a devoted Christian who often spoke about her faith to those around her. There’s no doubt she is rejoicing, free of her earthly bounds, in the arms of Jesus and all who passed before her. She departed this life on March 3, 2026, at the age of 77.

Jan grew up in Mountain Grove, where she attended grade school at Morning Sun Elementary and then graduating Mountain Grove High School as a member of the National Honor Society. Shortly after graduating, she was immediately employed with Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She attended SMSU, Drury, Draughans Bus College, the University of Colorado – Purdue Extension. She worked at Heers Department Store while attending SMSU. Then she was hired at Assembly of God Publishing House, followed by Bodey Insurance Agency, Walter Distribution in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Zenith Plant in Springfield, Missouri, OCS in Orlando, Florida, Conveyers and Drives in Atlanta, Georgia, Brown Shoe Company, KOLR TV for 13 years, the U.S. Post Office, and finally started the best job yet, Tub Lady Plus One, with her love, Chuck.

On February 14, 1985, Jannis was united in marriage to Charles David Stapp, and to this union had three children: Jennefer, Heather, and Scott. Oh, how she loved each of her children and always wanted the best for each of them in their life’s journey. She helped in every way she could and was always there with a listening ear and an open mind, offering honest perspective. When her children were growing up, she would always open her house to all the neighborhood children, and everyone enjoyed the immense snack cabinet, which her grandchildren also still enjoy. Their children blessed them with 10 grandchildren, who brought pure joy to Jan. Chances are, if you had a conversation with Jan, she was raving about one of them or showing pictures she had of them.

She loved taking pictures of anything and everyone, but especially loved sunsets, clouds and flowers. At any family occasion, you could find her with a camera in someone’s face capturing all the memories. She also was a talented writer and was working on publishing a book. She would write a Christmas card each year to send out, and they were always wonderfully written with her witty personal touches and filled with pictures.

Jan enjoyed her adventures with Chuck, whether that was at the casino, on long work trips looking at all the scenery, or simply just at home watching a movie together. Their love for one another is one that some people search a lifetime for. Jan would say often how much she appreciated all Chuck did for her and his family. He never left her side and was with her until her last breath, and that’s a love everyone strives for.

Jan’s ‘baby’ was Tub Lady Plus One, and she had a passion for helping customers with their repair needs and would often talk with a customer for an extended period of time on the phone about their life and experiences. That’s just the woman she was – so full of life, caring for everyone deeply and unconditionally. The world shined brighter with her in it, her beautiful smile will be missed by many. She was a very strong woman, always facing challenges with her contagious smile and a positive attitude.

“Une dame qui a de la classe, meme dans la tempete: A lady of true grace, elegance, and unwavering resilience.”

Jannis was preceded in death by her parents, George and Opal, and siblings Jerry Lawson, James Higby, Edward Higby, and Patricia Higby.

Survivors include her husband, Chuck Stapp; Jennefer Weber; Heather and her husband, Chris Dunn; Scott and his wife, Nichole Stapp; sisters Georgia Bubner, Kay and Allen Dowden, Peggy Webb, and Pam Stehli; and 10 grandchildren: Josiah and his wife, Madison Bottom, Cora, Brooklyn, Makenzie, Presley, Jackson, Monroe, Bronx, Ruxin, and Emryn.

Visitation and service date and time will be announced at a later date.