Jo Ann Smysor

JoAnn Smysor (Rayburn) 88, died peacefully of natural causes on August 17, 2025, at Ridgecrest Village, having been surrounded by her loving nieces and nephew, and her loving care giver, Chris Sheley. The family would like to thank the attentive staff of Ridgecrest Village and St Croix Hospice Care for their professional and kind care.

JoAnn will forever be known as “Auntie Jo” by her family and as “Josie” by her many friends. She will be remembered for her wry wit and quick sense of humor, her deep love of family and her many friendships.

JoAnn Rayburn was born August 24th, 1936, in Springfield Illinois to Ivy and Hubert Rayburn. Sometime thereafter the family moved to Davenport where she attend Davenport Schools and graduated from Davenport Central High School.

JoAnn was employed at Bendix Corporation for her entire working career as an Administrative Assistant and Contract Administrator. Afterwards, she became a frequent contributor to the company’s retiree group. It was at Bendix where she met the love of her life, Wendell Smysor, with whom she married on February 12, 1993. They shared many common interests and loved watching the Cubs, golfing, riding the tandem bike, traveling to Florida or Wisconsin, and of course, ballroom dancing at the Elks club.

JoAnn was a 54-year member the Davenport chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star where she found much joy and had numerous friends. She held numerous offices for the organization and served as Worthy Matron six times. Josie loved to play cards with her card club, bowl with her league, golf with various groups and laugh with friends in regular lunch circles. She also loved baking and playing the organ. Whenever, possible, she also enjoyed taking trips organized by the former Northwest Bank.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, and before that St. Andrews Presbyterian, where she regularly attended services throughout her life. Some may also say that she was an “optimistic winner” at the President / Isle of Capri casino where she liked to try her luck at the slots and had many friends.

Most notably, being with family was JoAnn’s greatest love! She was cherished as a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many stepfamily members of her late husband. JoAnn always enjoyed attending sports activities and concerts for “her kids” and holding court, as well as new babies, at huge holiday meals and family gatherings. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends in all her walks of life who found humor in her good-natured teasing which was certain to bring a smile to everyone’s face. (most of the time!)

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her mother Ivy May Koch and father Hubert E. Rayburn, brothers Larry Rayburn and Harold Rayburn, her husband Wendell Smysor and her niece, Cherie Peterson (Loren “Pete”). She is survived by her sister in-law Helen Rayburn, her nephew in-law Loren “Pete” Peterson, her nieces Colleen Rayburn (Tracy Waddington), Cynthia Krohe (Randy), Julie McClure (Randy) and her nephews Chris Rayburn (Mary) and Tim Rayburn (Courtney) as well as 14 great nieces and nephews and 17 great-great nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 12:30pm, Monday, August 25th, 2025 at Ridgecrest Village, Davenport, followed immediately by a funeral service at 1:30pm at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church, Davenport, Iowa , the Davenport Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star or a charity of your choice in her honor.