What a sweet soul. Lit taught at the Grand Prairie Beauty School for years. That is also where I met her daughter, Mindy.  I think fondly of those days. We all survived the record-setting summer of 1980 together! Lit’s children were fortunate to have her this many years. Not all of us are as fortunate to have our moms this long. The loss you experience never really goes away. Prayers your way to ease the sorrow…..

When she came to me as a client, I wasn’t sure it was going to be a good thing or bad, (to have a precious instructor to style her hair each week)but she became  a very treasured friend and mentor to me! I am so thankful for her friendship.   She has been a blessing to me, while teaching  and encouraging me.  A woman of influence on many lives.  What a great legacy to leave.  I will miss her, until we meet again.  Loved you very much, Ms Jo Ann.  Sincerely, Barbara

Granny,

You’re still my #1.  I’ll miss you for the rest of my life. You are absolutely irreplaceable. I thank you for teaching me how to do hard things. Because losing you has been hard. I watched you go through the toughest seasons of your life with grace, and guts. Much of who I am, in one way or another has so much to do with you. Your influence is woven all throughout my life. You always took the time to show me how much you loved me. The little details mattered most to you. You know how much I love you because you were the one who taught me how to love.  

I’ll see you again someday my beautiful gran….

Love, 
Autumn Ann- your precious pup 



My aunt Jo Ann was a teenager when I was born. They say I followed her around everywhere. Even after she married she and Cotton took care of me. She was the baby sister of her family and she took on the role seriously. She was always the one to lend a hand. She took care of everyone when they needed her. Her mother said she was always asking questions, really hard questions. She liked being 'in the know' and she was very smart. 
Jo Ann was a "pistol", fully loaded and ready to fire. If you were her "target" you know she seldom missed. She had strong opinions and shared them with all of us and we loved her. When she and her best friend bought Grand Prairie Beauty School she was in her element. Along with their husbands they ran a tight ship. Later my mother joined her as the instructor. They still ran a tight ship and I think every student would say they were strict, but always fair. She heard from students years after they graduated. 
If you were family, she loved you. No questions asked. Jo Ann loved her family completely. If you were part of her family you could count on her loving you. Often she would 'slip' some money to different one's or sponsor you in a fund raiser or camp. She loved to help people. 
When the love of her life passed 25 years ago, she grieved deeply and it shook her world, but she carried on and found ways to live a very full life.  She lived well past the age of anyone else in her family and she talked about that often. She did a lot of living in her 90 years and we are proud to have had her as our matriarch. She is greatly missed. Heaven is her new home.
I love you bunches Aunt Jo Ann, my big 'sister', and my friend.
George Jr.

I love you always, and until we see each other again. It’s not Goodbye. 

Save me a spot next to ya, and we can watch Golden Girls together again. 

I love you, 
Precious Pup - Carli. 

Your mom was such a sweet person. You were really fortunate to have her for so many years. Our moms were about the same age, but I lost my mom in 2003. There is no love to replace the love from/for your mother. Time in this is infinity. May her life always be for a blessing, and may G-d be with you and your family today as always.🌸🙏

Being my mentor and teacher while attending cosmetology school, Jo was a big part of my life for a time. She could be tough but was always fair with her guidance. She knew how to get the most out of us students.
I considered her my friend, and I think very fondly of her. Jo is not someone you forget. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Ginger Searcey Fitzgibbon

Jo Ann….Some say you played a big part in raising me as a teenager. You let me start “Beauty School”  shortly after I turned 13 years old. For 3 years  I spent six days a week in the summers with you from 8 to 5, then every Saturday during school. I have so many memories of you and our time together. I consider it the good, the bad, and the ugly LOL My funniest memory of you is you heavily walking to the ladies bathroom banging on the door and telling me to come out of there. I always hid there when you wanted to me to give someone a hair color !  Wasn’t my favorite thing ! Ha. 
I love you, and you will be forever in my heart……

I can’t say enough about this classy lady. Jo was my instructor and mentor in Beauty School.  She always pushed me to finish, because she always told me I would be a good hairdresser.  She taught me when I was 14 years old and made me continue till I was old enough to take my test at age 17.  Jo, you were always a beautiful woman and I loved every minute with you in school.  Every time I look at Mindy, I see you. You loved your family. I ended up working with Cotton at LTV.  You will always be remembered as an important part of my life.  Rest well beautiful Jo. Love to you,
Debbe Lackey Whitehead

OBITUARY

Jo Ann Willis

February 10, 1931 – August 18, 2021

Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home Beltline Road

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