Jo Ann Anders, 88 of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma passed from this life on July 14, 2023. She was born in Stonewall, Oklahoma to Sid and Lillian Thompson on April 28, 1935. Jo graduated from Stonewall High School in 1952 and graduated from East Central State University in May 1956. Jo married Dillon Anders of Clarita, Oklahoma in June 1956 and made their home in Oklahoma City. Dillon and Jo had 2 children, Sara and John. Dillon was transferred to Enid, Oklahoma in 1963 and during that time Jo attended Phillips University and renewed her teaching certification. She started teaching for Enid Public schools in 1967 and taught 3rd grade. After one year of teaching in Enid, they were transferred back to OKC and Jo started teaching 4th grade at Rollingwood Elementary, Putnam City Schools in the fall of 1968. In 1971 she received her Master’s Degree, summa cum laude, from Central State University (now University of Central Oklahoma). After teaching for several years at Rollingwood, she transferred to Putnam City Central Intermediate as a Title I Reading Specialist and continued until her retirement in 2003.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Sid and Lillian Thompson, and husband Dillon Anders. She is survived by her children, Sara Anders of OKC, and John Anders and his wife Debbie of Stillwater, OK – grandson Dillon and his wife Hilary of Ponca City, Meagan Anders of OKC, Madison Anders Bryant and husband Mark Bryant of Fittstown, OK, and her 4 great-grandchildren – Brynley, Hadley, and JD Anders of Ponca City, and Mason Bryant of Fittstown.
Jo loved working in her flower beds, which were beautiful. She enjoyed cooking for the family. She loved reading and enjoyed discussing books with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her wit, her ability to start a debate, and her eagerness to “stir the pot”. But her most special time was time spent with her family.
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