Jo Ann Waller, age 74 of Yantis, Texas, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Jo Ann was born in Hopkins County on February 19, 1948, to the late Buck and Ruth Gilbreath. She was of the Baptist faith She was an excellent student and received many awards throughout her time at Yantis ISD and when she was in high school, basketball was her sport and she loved playing every chance she got. She received many awards for her basketball talents on being the Most Valued Player (MVP) award for her team. If Jo Ann set her mind to anything, she would make it happen.
After high school, Jo Ann married Jimmy “Jim Bob” Waller on May 25, 1966, in Wood County, Texas. Together, the Waller’s welcomed their daughter Angelia into the world. Jo Ann lived in Guthrie, Texas before moving to Yantis in 1998.
She was a beautician for most of her early life and then worked as a cashier at the Sulphur Springs Walmart for 20 years before retiring. Jo Ann had several hobbies she loved to do. From childhood she had an enormous love for all animals. Riding horses, playing Cowboys and Indians of course, was one of her favorite things to do along with fishing, catching frogs, and bugs to take home in her pockets, which was not favored by her mother. She was quite competitive, as she took the State of Texas Championship in the Handgun Silhouette Competition in the late 80’s and continued to be competitive in the IHMSA Competitions. Her love for fishing remained strong and became an avid angler on Lake Fork and other lakes in Texas. She never lacked in adventure and dared to be independent and daring; she loved seeing the countryside from the top of her Red and White Harley Sportster 1200 and attended Sturgis Motorcycle Rally twice. She did have a soft side to her as well, a natural talent of creating artwork working with pastels and watercolors, Iris’ being her favorite to paint. She was an avid gardener and loved being outside. She enjoyed her time with her friends on Friday’s playing Bingo. Though she loved all animals, later she gave up riding horses but never failed to have a dog or cat by her side.
Jo Ann is preceded in death by both her parents, Buck and Ruth Gilbreath; her sister, Wilma E. Folmar; and her niece, Vicki Lyn Folmar.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Angelia Waller; her niece, Stephanie (Folmar) Roop; her nephew, Mark Folmar, and wife Lari; her great niece, Rachel Showalter, and husband Adam; her two great nephew’s, Michael Lynn Attaway and Ryan Folmar; and a multitude of cousins, extended family, and friends.
Memorial service will be held at 1:00PM Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Yantis.
