Jo Ellen Guynes

Jo Ellen Guynes passed away peacefully on April 2nd, 2023, after a long and courageous health battle at the age of 70. She was born in Odessa Texas on July 20th, 1952, to George and Winnie Smith, and was one of four sisters. Her family moved to Dallas when she was young and started an automotive business.

She met her future husband Larry Guynes in middle school. He was instantly awestruck by her beauty, and knew he was going to marry her when they met. She graduated high school in 1970. Larry initially proposed to her when he joined the Army, which she promptly declined. When he returned from the Vietnam war, he wooed her heart and proposed again. This time she said YES! They married in 1972 and went on to have 51 beautiful years of marriage. In that time, they had two amazing boys named Brian and Travis. She worked very hard in her career and enjoyed many years of it in real estate.

Jo Ellen loved spending time with family, friends and traveling. She was able to travel the world with her family and made many wonderful memories. She was always helping those around her and would give one of her most precious gifts… her time to those who needed it. She was personally devoted to the Town North Group in Farmers Branch and would sponsor many people over the years. She had a tremendous impact on the lives of many people that knew her.

She was a dedicated and loving wife to her husband, a devoted mother to her sons, an even more amazing grandmother to her grandchildren, and a faithful friend to those who knew her. She was known as “Mammy” to her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and would always play whatever games they wanted to torture her with. She would hype them up on sugar, then promptly bring them home to their parents.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Winnie, sisters Liz Rowland and Carol Smith, her son Brian, and niece Amanda. She is survived by her sister Mariann Williams, her husband Larry, son Travis, daughter-in-law Christina, grandchildren Dylan, Aliyah and Maximus, niece Sara and multiple other nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She touched many lives around her. The immense hole left by her passing will never be filled.

Funeral services will be held at Rhoton Funeral Home in Carrollton on Sunday April 23rd at 1pm for Larry and Jo Ellen. A reception will immediately follow the service for those to share stories and celebrate their lives. Larry and Jo Ellen will be laid to rest together at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at a private service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Town North Group in Farmers Branch, Texas.