Joan "Jo" Wilhite

Some say Jo was born on the back of a horse and learned to ride before she could walk!

Jo was a huge part of the family Pack station business. The Rae Crabtree pack station was located in the High Sierra Mountains at Courtright and Wishon. Jo never spent a summer in the Central Valley until she was 35 years old.

Jo met her future husband Duane Lee Wilhite at the Pack station. Jo an Duane were married in Clovis on March 24, 1957.

They had a daughter Tisha Rae "Tish" on October 1, 1961. Jo, Duane and Tish were involved with many horse organizations throughout her life. Jo, Duane, Tish and Beth all won numerous awards in the Cutting horse pen. Jo and Tish later became regulars at the National Reined Cowhorse Association. Tish always joke that her truck would not start unless Jo was in the front seat!!

One of Jo's most memorable awards was in 2018 when she was awarded the CRCHA Spirit of the Valley Award. This award was voted on each year by the association membership. One member stated that whether it was hot, cold, incredibly early or very late Jo could always be found on the side lines keeping scores. She not only cheered Tish on, but she also cheered for any and all of the great runs. It did not matter who you were, Jo loved to cheer on a good run! She always showed her appreciation with her signature "Woo Woo"!

Jo's life was based on the quote: "Horses are not her whole life, but they make her life whole". For many years Jo coached many students that went on to achieve "greatness" in the horse world and they carried Jo's spirit throughout their adult years as well.

Jo left this Earth on November 9, 2020.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents Rae and Beth Crabtree and Tisha's father Duane Wilhite

Jo is survived by her only daughter Tisha Rae Wilhite and son-in-law Brian Avery.

Boice Funeral Home in Clovis is handling the Arrangements. If you go to their website, you can leave a message for the family to be included in the Memory Book for the family.

There will be a viewing on December 1, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Chapel at Boice Funeral Home.

A private Graveside will be held on December 2, 2020 at the Clovis Cemetery where Jo will be laid to rest next to her parents Rae and Beth Crabtree.

A Celebration of Life will be held at New Hope Community Church in Clovis at 11:00 a.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Tim Rolen , who was her neighbor for 29 years. The family asks that due to our current world circumstances that you wear a face mask and observe social distancing.

There will be a reception BBQ in the Spring Celebrating Jo's life later. Date to be announced.

One of Jo's favorite sayings while cheering one of her favorite horses was "Go Shorty Go:!!

We would like to say thank you for all the lives you have touched and all the beautiful memories you left so many of us. So, until we meet again..."Go Mama Jo Go"!

The Celebration of Life will be Livestreamed through New Hope Community Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Wilhite family.