Remembering Jo Ann

Jo Ann Johnson, age 84, wife of Carl S Johnson, went to Heaven on June 24, 2026.

Jo Ann loved people with her whole heart. She was a friend to all - her friends, her family, her students, her neighbors. She would even leave Christmas gifts for the mail carriers. She would welcome anyone who came across her path with arms wide open. She loved well and she was well loved.

God had his hand on Jo Ann from the start. When she was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, on January 1, 1942, as a 3-month pre-mature baby, Sister Mary Carmella would spend every hour at her side, nursing her to health. The nuns would gather around and pray that Jo Ann would pull through - and she did. She battled health challenges throughout her life, but she was incredibly brave, rarely complained, and was constantly grateful for the little joys of life.

Jo Ann spent her career as an educator. She began in the public schools, where her favorite grade was 4th and her least favorite was 6th. She went on to teach 20 years at Marshall University, training elementary student teachers. Upon retirement she never stopped teaching - always helping to write her grandchildren's papers, editing them and correcting their grammar. They owe it to her for their grammatical success. Her teaching extended beyond English - she also taught 3rd grade Sunday School at Fifth Avenue Baptist in Huntington, WV, where Carl and Jo Ann lived and raised their family for 35 years.

Jo Ann was also known for singing. She was a devoted member of her local church's choir and sang solos at many churches and weddings over the years.

Most importantly, Jo Ann believed in a God who is as kind as he is powerful. She was a prayer warrior, and He carried her through it all, and to the end.

Jo Ann was the daughter of Anne Belle and Richard K McMurry. She has two brothers, Dr Rev Don McMurry (wife Norma), of Fayetteville, GA, and Charlie McMurry (wife Chris) of Kansas City, MO. She also was the loving mother of Angela Wolfe (married to Ted Wolfe) of Charlotte, NC, and Laura Edmisten (married to Tim Edmisten) of Blowing Rock, NC, and five grandchildren- Ashlyn Edmisten, Kayla Gabertan (married to David), Brooklyn Edmisten, Luke Edmisten, and Holland Edmisten.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the children's ministry at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Boone, NC.

The visitation for Jo Ann will be at Mount Vernon on Sunday, July 5th, at 3pm with the service to follow at 4pm.

To know her is to love her. And she loved to the end. We are sure she is celebrating now in heaven.

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.