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Jo Ann Lewis Hearn, 81, of Calera was born April 1, 1936 to Lindsey and Wilma Lewis in Stigler, Oklahoma.
She went home to be with Jesus on December 1, 2017.
Jo Ann graduated from Stigler High School in 1953 and from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1958.
She married Darrel Hearn on August 24, 1956 at her parent’s home in Stigler. In 1966 she began teaching at Achille Elementary School, where she taught for 32 years. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she faithfully attended since 1957.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 61 years, Darrel Hearn, her children Janna Hooper and Larry Wiggins, Carla and James Dalton, James and Jayna Hearn.
Grandchildren - Mikisha Hooper and Bryce Davis, Amity and Charlie Smith, Adri and Rowdy Starnes, Elijah Dalton, Casey and Brittany Dalton, Lyndon Hearn and Aiden Hearn.
Great grandchildren – affectionately called “Puddin Pots” – Dillon Smith, Avery Cole Smith, Eleanor Davis, Raylan Starnes, Ryan Starnes and Baby Davis.
Her brother Ray Lewis, her sister-in-law Shelba Smith, her lifelong friend Mary Nell Bumpers, and nieces and nephews – Bruce, Melinda, Barbara, Terrie, Ricky, Kirby and Sheila.
Jo Ann began playing the piano at the age of 4. As a young performer, she played piano for her Uncle Argie Lewis’ gospel quartet. She faithfully shared her musical talent for many years as the pianist at Calvary Baptist Church. Her rendition of “Onward Christian Soldier” was unlike any you’ve ever heard.
In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family, appreciating the seasonal changes of the garden, reading, relaxing on her front porch watching for hummingbirds, and a good conversation. Through the years, she welcomed many friends to her home and many of them in turn adopted her as their Granny Jo as well. She was always the first to give you a hug when you walked in the door and a hug when you left. Above all, Jo Ann cared and prayed for her family.
If you added up all the hours she practiced piano, all the hymns she played in church, all the students she taught over 3 decades, all of the half pieces of gum she shared with us, and all of the books she read in her lifetime – it wouldn’t even begin to equal the difference she made in the lives of her family.
If she’d had her way, she would have kept her family much closer geographically than their lives made possible, but she kept them anchored through her love, faith, and support.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lindsey and Wilma Lewis, Her brother Charles, and her grandson James Lee Dalton.
Family hour will be from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM on Wednesday December 6th before the memorial service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma with Bro. Robert Griffin and Bro. Darel Bunch officiating. The memorial service will begin at 11:00 AM.
Services are under the direction of
Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma
www.holmescoffeymurray.com
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