Jo Ann Orr

Jo Ann Orr passed from this world into the loving hands of Jesus on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at the age of 83 years. She was born to Kenneth and Lolma Reed Gardner on May 30, 1937, in Claremore, Oklahoma. They made their home in the Sequoyah community where Jo Ann lived her entire life. She met and married Thomas Henry Orr in November of 1954, and they began to build a lifetime of wonderful memories together. They added two little girls to the mix and life was full.
Jo Ann started college classes while the girls were young, and got her teaching degree and masters degree from Northeastern State University. She began teaching 3rd grade at Claremont Elementary and continued in that same role for 31 years. She retired in 1999.
Jo Ann was a multi-talented individual who could do just about anything she put her mind to doing. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, lawn service, and housekeeper, just to name a few, but where she excelled the most was in how she loved others. Her family was the shining star in her life, and she blessed all of them with love through her acts of kindness. Her friends were also a treasured gift and she made it a point to connect with them often.
She was an active member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church where she willingly served in many roles throughout the years. She was also involved in Farm Bureau, Rogers County Cattlemen’s Association, and was a founding member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Jo Ann is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Tommy Orr, daughters Tammy Carriger and Terri Owens, son-in-law Mike Owens, grandchildren Micah and Justin Post, Kirby and Vanna Owens, Cale and Whitney Owens, and Terra and Kyle Stesney. Also great-grandchildren Cade and Colter Post, Wiley Owens, Bill Guyer, and Hanna Stesney.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Carl Wayne Gardner, and great-granddaughter Kaygan Lyn Post.
View and sign Jo Ann’s online memorial at www.mmsfuneral.com .