Jo Ann Sims

Our beloved Mother and Nana, Jo Ann Sims, of McGregor, passed away Tuesday, December 30th, 2014 at Providence Hospital in Waco. A service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, January 5th, 2015 at 2 PM at Cole Funeral Home in McGregor. Brother Terry Johnston will officiate and a visitation will be held at Cole at 1 PM prior to the service.

Jo Ann was born August 28th, 1927 in Jonesboro, Texas, the daughter of John Alonso “Lon” Ridling and Alma Weaver Ridling. She graduated from Oglesby High School in 1946 and married James Edward Sims of Oglesby on December 23, 1947. The two bought a home in McGregor in February of 1953 where she resided until October of 2014. Throughout her life, Jo Ann worked at Carra’s Fashions, Texas Power and Light Company, and Smead Manufacturing Co. from which she retired after many years of employment. Jo Ann loved entertaining, keeping her home, arranging flowers and plants, and gardening. She was a member of the McGregor Garden Club. She was also an avid follower of politics and sports, being particularly fond of Baylor Athletics and the San Antonio Spurs basketball team. She was a member of First Baptist Church of McGregor and often attended The Ruth Class.

Jo Ann leaves behind three daughters: Jean Ann Davison and husband Robert of Toppenish, Washington, Jill Brinkley and husband Michael of Woodway, Texas, and Mary Kay Mahan and husband Randy of Blanco, Texas. She also leaves four grandchildren: her namesake, Kerri Jo Ann Davison, Lauren Rogers and husband Jon-Michael, Matthew Davison and Roberta, and Cody Brinkley, as well as two great-grandchildren, Graeham and Phoebe Rogers. Two dear cousins survive Jo Ann: Edith Lilljedahl of Lorena and Kathleen Lindsey of McGregor. She also leaves her best friend of more than fifty years, Nelda Lofland of McGregor. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, James, her parents, her brother, Eugene “Hooker” Ridling, and one grandson, John Clifford Davison.

For those who wish, her family has suggested donations to First Baptist Church of McGregor: 700 W 6th Street, McGregor, TX, 76657. Her family is incredibly grateful for three months of loving care extended by the professional and courteous personnel of the Regent Care Center in Woodway and the ten years of excellent care she received from Dr. James T. Graham, Jr., MD of the Hillcrest Hewitt Clinic.