JoAnn Salagaj Chastain

Funeral services for JoAnn Salagaj Chastain, 77, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeremy Yancey and Pastor Karen Norton officiating. Interment will follow in Whitehouse Cemetery.

Mrs. Chastain was born August 5, 1948 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Emma Elizabeth (Lipscomb) and Joseph Thomas Salagaj, and died Thursday, January 22, 2026 in a local hospice facility.

JoAnn was a lifetime resident of Lufkin and graduated from Lufkin High School with the Class of ’66. She served as the County Clerk of Angelina County retiring after many years of dedicated service. JoAnn began her service to the citizens of the Angelina County in June of 1984 as a Deputy Clerk for then-County Clerk Paula Grisham and assumed the office of County Clerk upon her election on January 1,1995. JoAnn was elected for five terms and had over 30 years of service to the county when she retired on December 31, 2014. She was named County Clerk of the Year in 2007. JoAnn was a classy lady, ran a good office and she and her clerks always delivered a high level of service to their constituents. She was a loving mother and Nana and was an avid shopper at the local boutiques. That was her passion. JoAnn was a faithful member of Timber Creek Church.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Julie Clifton of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Jeremy Hodges of Lufkin; grandchildren, Natalie Clifton, Morgan Clifton, Emily Eubanks and husband Brett, Molly Hodges; brother, Pastor Andy Salagaj and wife Cathy of Quartzsite, Arizona; sister-in-law, Shelia Salagaj of Chicago, Illinois; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Owen Chastain; and brother, Tom Salagaj.

Pallbearers will be Matt Clifton, Tommy Griggs, Mike Townsend, Casey Salagaj, Bruce Clifton, and Joey Salagaj.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Lufkin High School Class of ’66.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.