The sun rose on a baby girl in Lacey, Arkansas when the Lord blessed the marriage of Willie Lee and Mary Wayne with Joann, lovingly called “Jo”, on June 22, 1944. As a young girl she accepted Christ at Promised Land Baptist Church. At the tender age of 16 she joined her mother and other family members in Toledo, Ohio. Once in Toledo, she attended and graduated from Libbey High School.
Soon after graduation she met and married Dosie Ward. Their marriage brought forth three blessed boys: Michael, Steven and Bradford.
Jo loved her family and children. For years she worked with her mom as a day care provider. Many days you could hear children pleading with their parents to stay with Jo. Regardless of age, people were drawn to her beautiful smile and warm heart. Many of us would sit with her to gain her wisdom and insight. Although Jo, had many physical ailments including Polio, she never complained. She was an inspiration to everyone who met her. She always had kind words and funny sayings to share. If you came to her weighted down with a heavy burden, after a few words and laughs with Jo, you left lighter and happier. Everyone loved Jo and Jo loved so many.
She loved music, fishing, cookouts, and connecting with family and friends over social media. She and her mom enjoyed taking long car trips back “home” to Arkansas to visit family. Jo was known for her beautiful smile and her big earrings.
Jo was preceded in death by her father, Willie Lee Wayne, sister, Marilyn Williams, and son Steven.
Cherish Memories – Jo leaves her mother Mary Moore, sons Michael (Rachel) of San Antonio, TX, and Bradford, brother Bill Wayne, nieces Lisa Williams (Danny) of San Diego, CA and Tamra of Orlando, FL, 10 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, dear friends Brenda Barnes and Minnie Anderson, as well as, a host of nephews, relatives, and friends.
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