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Laula'au Sapp born in Mapusaga passes away in Florida

Laula'au Sapp

Lake City, FLORIDA — Laula'au Sapp, age 72, of Lake City, Florida passed away on November 23, 2021 at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida; she left this earth surrounded by her children in a room filled with song.

Laula'au was born in Mapusaga, American Samoa on August 26, 1949 to the late Pona Tagaloa and Eseta Liufau. Laula'au was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which provided the foundation by which she lived her life.

She grew up on the north shore of Hawaii, where she eventually met her husband of 54 years, Levy Dewey Sapp. They made their home in Lake City where they raised their eight children and became an active part of the community; Laula'au shared her love of music, sports and the Polynesian culture any opportunity she could. She was honored to love and care for children in her home for more than 30 years. More than anything, she enjoyed her family and being Grammie to her 28 grandbabies and four great-grandbabies.

Laula'au was preceded in death by her beloved son, Levy Dewey Sapp, Jr; her precious grandchildren, Levy "Trey" Dewey Sapp, III and Anissa Leigh Sapp; daughter-in-law, Melinda Lee Johnson; and brothers, Eddie and Taga Tagaloa.

Laula'au is survived by her husband, Levy Sapp of Lake City, FL; children Danielle (Jeff) Wood of Lake City, FL; Drucilla (Charles, II) Gagliano of Opelika, AL; Summer (Duane) Howell of Lake City, FL; Shelby (Dustin) McRae of St Augustine, FL; Tiara (Adam) Russell of Ponte Vedra, FL; Tyler (Tim) Jenkins of St Johns, FL; and Dallas (Erin) Sapp of Valencia, CA; brothers Tui, Lee and Sam Tagaloa of California; sisters Joyce Fenger of California and Fui Solomona of Virginia Beach, VA.

Laula'au also leaves behind 28 grandbabies Walter Messer, Taylor (Taiwan) Ferguson, Landon (Keeley) Messer, Branson (Molly) Messer, Sinei Wood, Meleane Wood, Makai Gagliano, Raeden Gagliano, Charley Gagliano, Roman Gagliano, Drue Gagliano, Myla Gagliano, Kaeleb Howell, Tyson Howell, Hayden McRae, Duncan McRae, Ramsey McRae, Beckett Russell, Palmer Russell, Collier Russell, Kinley Jenkins, Ansley Jenkins, Peyton Sapp, Masina Sapp, Sterling Sapp and Laula'au Sapp; great-grandbabies Marley Messer, Landon "Junior" Messer, Uriah Ferguson and Nani Ferguson; and numerous extended family members and friends who filled her life with love.

A celebration of Laula'au's beautiful life will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 2 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 909 SE Country Club Rd in Lake City. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 29, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home Parlor in Lake City. Arrangements are under the care of the DEES-PARRISH FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 458 S. Marion Ave. Lake City, FL 32025 (386)752-1234. Please leave special memories and messages of condolence for the family at our online website at Parrishfamilyfuneralhome.com

Published originally by Lake City Reporter on Nov. 27, 2021.