Jo Dell Stallings

Services celebrating and remembering the life of Jo Dell Stallings will be Tuesday March 28, 2023 at 1:30 PM at First Baptist Church of Verdigris, OK.  Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore, OK.  Visitation will be 6 – 8 PM Monday March 27, 2023 at MMS Payne Funeral home in Claremore.  Jo left her earthly home for her heavenly home on March 25, 2023.  She was 94 years young.

Jo was born on May 25, 1928, in Childress, Texas, to Virgil and Jessie Pharr. She was the youngest of 10 children. Jo graduated from Petersburg, Texas High School in 1945 as salutatorian of a class of 35. She finished in 11 years.  In 1947 she graduated from Wayland Baptist College in Plainview and began teaching high school math at age 19.  

She said “the lovebug bit her” when she met her future husband Roy Stallings at Wayland Baptist.  They got married in 1948 and moved to Amarillo, Texas.  Three sons were born and they moved to Arkansas in 1956.  A daughter was born in McGehee, Ark.  In addition to raising 4 children she began teaching in elementary schools.  Jo continued her education at Ark A&M and graduated in 1971.  She began teaching 4th grade in McGehee.  Roy and Jo moved to Oklahoma in 1983 and she began teaching 3rd grade at Catoosa.  She taught there for 10 years.  Her teaching career spanned 29 years including being a mentor in the PAL’s program.  Not only did Jo delight in teaching her children and students math and other subjects but she found great fulfillment in teaching the ways of life and the path to her Lord.

She enjoyed quilting, puzzles, gardening, traveling, and reading.  Her most precious time was spent studying God’s word and teaching Sunday School until she was 90.  Jo had a huge heart for missions and participated in missions projects.   She was active in many ways in her local churches including leading singing and teaching Bible studies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, Howard Pharr, Wayne Pharr, and Buster Pharr.  Six sisters – Ruby Hughlett, Glenna Williams, Thelma Trent, Cecil Robinson, Earnestine Sitton, Bernice Bisco.  One grandson – Johnny Etheridge.
Jo is survived by her three sons, Terry Stallings and wife Pam, Davey Stallings and wife Brenda, Kelly Stallings and wife Pam. One daughter, Roilene Blan and husband Rick; eight grandchildren, Tobey (Delane) Burns, Tony (Samantha) Stallings, Ashley (Josh) Lane, Carey (Rachelle) Stallings, Lindsey (Sam) Cooke, Andy (Jennifer) Stallings, Maranda (Michael) Taylor, and Stephanie (Mickey) Lewis; 21 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made in her honor to the International Mission Board through FBC Verdigris.  The family expresses deep appreciation for the loving care and encouragement provided to Jo and family by all the staff at the Claremore Nursing Home and the hospice nurses from Amedisys.