Jo Ann Smith

Jo Ann Smith, loving mom and Granny, of Abilene, Texas passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the age of 86. Visitation will be Monday, May 16, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas.  Services will be Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Starbuck Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas.

Jo Ann was born on May 2, 1936 in Sylvester, Texas to Tom and Marguerite Watson.  She was the 4th of eight children.  Jo Ann held several jobs through the years – Southern Gardens, Timex and Crown Cork & Seal.  While at Crown she was named Employee of the Year.  She retired from Crown in 2000 after 22 years.

Jo Ann loved to do crafts and color, work in her yard and flower beds, and loved a good day of garage selling.  But, above all else she loved her family.  Jo Ann was a born caretaker and loved taking care of her family and anything that they needed.  She also loved her family history and helped preserve it through her many photo and genealogy albums she lovingly made.

She is survived by two daughters and a loving daughter-in-law, Pam Parker and husband, Jimmy of Ransom Canyon, Debbie Brown and Robbye Benningfield of Abilene; three bonus children, Donna Andress and husband Jim, Gary Smith and Tony Smith and wife, Lynn all of Abilene; two sisters, Joyce Vancil of Mineola and Patsy Smith of Thoreau, New Mexico; eleven grandchildren, Leslie Lee and husband Shane, Jay Parker and wife, Hanne-Lise, Casey Brown, Shannah Jones and husband B. J., Jason Clinton and wife Crystal, Elizabeth Gray and husband Juston, Jessica West and wife, Kristi West, Dusti Benningfield, Britany Smith, Cassie Crowe and husband, Cutter and Hailey Hocke and husband Ryan; 18 great-grandchildren, Shayla Scott and husband Trey, Aaron Allen and wife, Brooke, Morgan Parker, Lawson Parker, Skylar Robinson, Cameron Robinson, Paris Jones, Alexa Jones, Brayden Jones, Kayden Jones, Briley Clinton, Brady Clinton, Ashlyn Gray, Auston Gray, Aidon Gray, Kaylee Flores, Kaleb Flores, Kynlee Nino; four great-great grandchildren, BrynnLee Scott, Leiah Allen, Lilly Allen and Winrey Allen; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill Smith, her son Terry Benningfield and her siblings Doyle Watson, Leona Amason, Thomas Watson, Mary Jordan and Betty Radnor.

Special thank you is given to Julie Wilson, who loved Granny and kept her looking like a million bucks for many years, Generations Home Health and Hendrick Hospice.

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