Jo Anne Walker

(From Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home)

Jo Anne Walker, age 92, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, passed away December 15, 2023. Jo Anne was born in Joplin MO November 30, 1931 to Russell Rhea and Leta Garren Rhea. She attended school at Wanda grade school and Stella High School. She graduated with the class of 1950. Jo Anne married Jim Walker in 1950. They were married 63 years before Jim's passing in 2013.

Jim and Jo Anne have four children: Russell and wife Terry, of Joplin, MO. Bruce and wife Hollee, of El Dorado Springs, MO, Richard and wife Judy, of Springfield, MO, and Debbie McFadden of El Dorado Springs, MO. Jim and Jo Anne have twelve grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Jim and Jo Anne lived on a dairy farm in Boulder City, MO, for two years. They moved to California for two years before returning to the dairy farm in Missouri to work with Jim's father. In 1958, Jim began his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Jim's first assignment was in Buffalo, MO, and after two years he was transferred to El Dorado Springs where they lived the rest of their lives.

Jo Anne was baptized at the age of eighteen. She was an active member of the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ.

Jo Anne was a homemaker. Her many hobbies throughout her life included showing horses, gardening, canning, countless forms of arts and crafts, and softball.

Jo Anne is survived by her four children and all her grandchildren and so on.