Jo Ann (Keating) Gary

Jo Ann Gary, 89, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on February 11, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. She was born on November 16, 1932, in Panola County, to the late Jim Richard and Odessa (Burks) Keating. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Levi Cohorst officiating. Interment will follow at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

A visitation will be held prior to the service at 12:00 pm, Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church.

A view into Jo Ann and who she was must include the fact that she was an avid reader – making some favorite places to visit libraries and bookstores.

She was an excellent cook and showed her love by planning her meals consisting of each family member’s favorites.  Specialties of hers were homemade biscuits, dressing, fresh peach cobbler and coconut cake.  She would read recipe books like they were novels.  After living in a small town, another one of her thrills was to go down the aisles of a large grocery store checking out all the choices, especially the spices.

At Christmas, she enjoyed spending time with her grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren while they laughed, talked, and treasured their time together.  She never forgot to share the true meaning of Christmas and the fact that God loves us before a single present was ever opened in her home.

Another favorite of Jo Ann’s was challenging her memory by listening to Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune – she excelled at both.  We would kid her that her name could have been Alexa because every time we needed a date, a spelling, a fact or a definition, we asked her, and she was able to be our “memory”.

Jo Ann had a beautiful laugh that went on and on until she and everyone around her were in tears.  Everyone was always welcome at Jo Ann’s house anytime for coffee, Sunday lunch, or even an overnight stay.

The very best description of Jo Ann is that she was a perfect example of a strong Christian lady.  This could be seen in her well-worn Bible, her regular attendance at church and bible study, and her habit of sending beautiful birthday cards to loved ones with meaningful handwritten bible verses to guide her friends and family along their way.

Lastly, she was everyone’s Grannie – as a friend of her granddaughter stated so well:

            “Someone I love very much went to be with Jesus last night.

             When I looked at you, I never saw a wrinkle, though I’m sure you did.

             I never saw a pound you gained or lost, though I’m sure you did.

             I never say your fault, though I’m sure you did.

             All I ever saw when I looked at you was love.

             Thank you. Grannie, for loving me like you did, always!”

Jo Ann is survived by her sister, Nette Els; her children, Kathy Richard, Barbara Crouch and husband, Melvin, Richard Gary and wife, Sherry, Mark Gary and wife, Nancy; her grandchildren, Amanda George, Sean Crouch, Zachary Richard, Heather Bryan, Krystal Zwerneman, Toni Goss, Katie Kelley, Travis Gary; and her 13 ½ great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by Mervin Gary, her beloved husband of 64 years, and 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

In lieu of flowers, Jo Ann has requested that you plant a flowering or fruit tree in your yard or donate to the Timpson Public Library.