Jo Lynn Smith Gerhardt

Jo Lynn Smith Gerhardt passed away peacefully July 10, 2012 with her loving family by her side. She is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Jim Gerhardt, her children, Allison Elliott and husband Skip, Carole Blanton and husband Daryl, Tom Gerhardt and wife Rachel, her grandchildren Curt & Ashley Blanton, Tanner & Clara Gerhardt, Casper Koteras, Curt’s fiancé Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, her brother Tim Smith, her sister Sheryl Ducroz and their families, and many dear cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Masterson Smith, Jr. and Maurice Shotts Smith.

Jo Lynn was born August 29, 1935 in West Columbia, Texas. She lived in Victoria, Galveston and Stillwater prior to settling in Houston and graduating from Lamar High School in 1953. She attended Gulfport College then worked at the Braniff Airlines ticket counter in the Rice Hotel. Through this job she met the love of her life, Jim, on a blind date in 1956. They married in 1957, lived in Houston for a short while before Jim’s job with Gulf Oil took them to Venezuela, Kuwait and Pennsylvania, finally returning to Houston in 1975.

She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She maintained deep, close friendships from all of the places she lived, and was very involved with the Thornwood Women’s Club up until her death. Once you were Jo Lynn’s friend, you were her friend for life.

It was her greatest desire to walk straight and tall at Curt’s wedding in September, and to attend her other grandchildren’s many activities. We will remember her for her brave spirit, her cheerful laugh, her amazing Santa Claus collection and her thoughtfulness. She loved books, and took special care each Christmas to give books to children of family and friends. We will dearly miss her.

The family would like to thank the caring nurses and staff in the NICU and SICU of Methodist Hospital who showed such compassion to Jo Lynn in her last illness.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 15 from 4-6 pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079. A memorial service will be held on Monday July 16 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Houston Symphony or charity of your choice.