Letha Marion (Dawson) Scanzoni

Charlotte, North Carolina

October 09, 1935 - January 09, 2024

Letha Scanzoni, 88, passed on Tuesday, January 09, 2024.

Letha Dawson Scanzoni, noted writer, independent scholar, and foremother of evangelical Christian feminists, died at a skilled nursing facility in Charlotte, N.C., on January 9, 2024, of complications related to congestive heart failure. She was 88.

An early and lifelong member of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus (now Christian Feminism Today), as well as editor for many years of the organization’s magazine, "EEWC Update/Christian Feminism Today," Ms. Scanzoni was a respected author and speaker.

Her book, "All We’re Meant to Be: A Biblical Approach to Women’s Liberation" (1974), co-authored with the late Nancy A. Hardesty, was named by Christianity Today as one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals.

Her book, "Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive Christian Response" (1994), co-authored with the late Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, gave hope to many LGBTQ+ persons in evangelical churches. And her most recent book, "What God Has Joined Together: A Christian Case for Gay Marriage" (2009), coauthored with David G. Myers, gave further support to the LGBTQ+ community of Christians.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on October 9, 1935, Ms. Scanzoni was educated at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York, and at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., and went on to co-author, with her former husband John Scanzoni, several editions of the noted sociology textbook, "Men, Women, and Change: A Sociology of Marriage and Family."

Upon her death, her son David Scanzoni of Charlotte, said: “She often received letters of thanks and appreciation from depressed or downtrodden individuals who told her that her uplifting writings had literally saved their lives. Letha also was a close personal friend to many people, always generous in her time, her counsel, her encouragement, and her spirit.”

In addition to David, she is survived by her son, Stephen of Hillsborough, N.C.; her brother, Robert of Fayetteville, N.C.; and five grandchildren.

Arrangements are pending for an online memorial service later in 2024.

The Scanzoni Family have entrusted arrangements to Roseboro's Mortuary & Crematory.

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