Jo Ann McKenzie

Susan, I was so sad to read about your mom´s passing. It has been many years but she was always nice to me way back when you were living in Bayview Court. Denise Miller Anderson

Jo Ann has been the sunshine of my life for about 42 years. She had a heart of gold and a smile to match. Early in my public accounting career (when I lacked typing skills) she would stay up late at night and type financial audit reports. That single act of love propelled my career forward. My initial attraction to Jo Ann was that she was the genuine article. There was no pretentiousness in her being. She loved people and could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger...

We arrived in California from England in 1983 and were quickly embraced by the hospitality extended to us by Jo and Sharon. At Thanksgiving and Christmas Jo opened her home to us. We will never forget her kindness and generosity and the happy hours spent in her company, that year and subsequently, and of course the introduction to egg-nog! Our love and thoughts are with Susan, Sharon and Marty at this sad time.

My name is Cal Thornton my sister Joanne along with my younger brother Kenny and I grew up together and they late 30s and 40s in Lakeland Florida Joe was 2 years younger than myself we were the best of friends and enjoyed each other has teenagers growing up a double dated and we did things together with her and it was a beautiful life for young people we have had a good life sis I will miss you 85 years the good Lord has given you a real good run on this planet you are now with God and Mom...

My name is Thornton I am one of two brothers to Joanne my sister we grew up together in Florida I am over by 2 years than Joanne and her other brother Kenny is 2 years younger my sister was a beautiful person I loved her and love her so very much we double dated we're best friends until I left for the Korean War for my Naval service in 1952 she is beloved and I will miss her and I just want to say wait Joe wait for me I am coming I know you will be with Mom and Dad in that Heavenly home where...

My name is Cal Thornton I wanted to say thank you God for 85 years with my sister we grew up together we double dated and we're the best of best friends for many years as young people until I went away to the Korean war in 19 52 my sister was a unique person and is certainly in that Realm of great love and greatness in that home above with God and Jesus and all of our spiritual and family we will all be together and I just wanted to say I love you Joe wait for me I am on my way your older...

I had forgotten some of her accomplishments, it was nice to read about them! I´ll never forget how sweet and loving she was after my Mom and sister died, that she opened her home every Christmas Eve to my daughter and myself so that we could be with family at Christmas! She was a very special lady!

This is such a nice obituary. I had no idea of your Mom's many talents and accomplishments. What a wonderful and talented woman. May the memories of her "southern charm" stay with you forever.