Jo Ellen Childs Dunlap passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at her residence. Memorial service will be 4:00 PM, Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas with the Reverend Adam Chaney officiating.
Mrs. Dunlap was born on September 29, 1959 in Amarillo, TX to Jack and Mary Childs. Her family lived in Amarillo, Anchorage, AK; and Sumter, SC before moving to Marlin, TX in 1970. Jo Ellen married Ben Dunlap on July 12, 1980.
Jo Ellen Dunlap would tell you that being a mom was her biggest dream and she was a wonderful mom to their three kids! Being a grandma was also a highlight of her life.
Jo learned to read before she started school, and that love of learning continued throughout her life. She received a degree in education from Baylor; a MS in educational administration and a counseling certification from Tarleton. She taught elementary in Chilton ISD, Mart ISD, Riesel ISD, Rangely Schools and Baylor Piper CDC prior to becoming school counselor at Riesel ISD where she retired in 2015.
Her hobbies included meeting strangers, cooking, loving big, a good bath, talking to babies, cheering on her kids, making people laugh, conversations with her husband, traveling with her girlfriends, rooting for the underdog, and watching the sunset from her porch.
Jo Ellen Dunlap was diagnosed with stage IV Melanoma in July 2016 and this chapter is perhaps her greatest testimony. God continued to use her to touch the lives of people around her through her faith and humor. Her healthcare providers', friends', and families' faith was strengthened by her amazing spirit through this time.
Jo Ellen is preceded in death by her father, Jack Childs, and father-in-law, John Dunlap. She is survived by her husband, Ben Dunlap; her mother Mary Childs; her daughter Mindy Morgan and husband Jeremy; her son Wesley Dunlap; her daughter Ashton Goebel and husband Grant; her grandchildren Camryn and Clinton Morgan; and mother-in-law Jean Dunlap. She is also survived by her siblings, Al and Bev Childs, Jackie and Scott Brown, David and Karen Gillum, Nancy and Greg Traylor, Amy and Pokey Swinnea, and Kathy and Gayland Downes. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who felt like family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dunlap Unsung Hero account at any Texas First State Bank.
