Jo Ann Woods

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Jo Ann Woods

The name Jo Ann means “God is Gracious”. On June 1, 1947, God was gracious to bless John Woods and Ruth Pullen Woods with a daughter, they named Jo Ann. She was born in Dallas, Texas and was the youngest of five daughters.

She grew up in Forney, Texas where she attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Prairie View College, where she received a degree in accounting.

Upon graduating from Prairie View, she accepted a job offer from Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. She later worked as an accountant for DTE Energy utility company of Detroit. In Michigan, she began to make a wonderful life for herself. She made many lifelong friends who became like family to her. However, she never forgot to stay in touch with her Texas family and friends, by sending them a card, giving them a call, and even coming to visit during the holidays.

Jo Ann truly loved helping others. She was always willing to share her talents and resources. She served in her church and shared her accounting skills with family and friends. Even when she didn’t feel well, she was still willing to help as much as she could.

Jo Ann was also very creative. She was excellent seamstress designing beautiful wedding gowns and prom dresses. She also volunteered to make outfits for teddy bears that the police department gave out to children as a way of comforting them during a call.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Dorothy Clay and Onita Dean, brother-in-law, Burnice Dean, Jr., and nephew, Carl Dean.

Jo Ann leaves to cherish her memory her two sisters, Yvonne Boykins and Evelyn Woods; brother-in-law, Hugh Boykins; nieces, Shashon Clay and Wanda Johnson; nephew, Hollis Dean, grandnieces Jeanette and Mariah, and grandnephew Jarvis, best friend, Beverly Grider, Beverly’s daughter, Valerie McClellon, and Beverly’s grandchildren, Rawl and Kaila, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jo Ann departed this life and went to her heavenly home on February 4, 2026. She was loved by many, and her gracious and loving spirit will be deeply missed