Jo Ann Ann Fults

Obituary

Jo Ann Fults

Jo Ann Fults, age 89, returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 27. She was born June 22, 1936, in Russell, Kentucky, to Ray and Mabel Hurt of Ivanhoe, North Carolina. The youngest of six children, she loved her family.

From a young age, Jo Ann had a love for music- playing the clarinet in the school band and participating in choirs. She attended Berea College for one year and then moved to California with her parents. She then relocated to Miami Florida and become a writer for the Miami Herald. While living in Miami, she met the love of her life, Judson Fults. They married on March 5, 1960, and began their life together and soon moved to Ohio, where Jud owned and ran a farm.

Jo Ann and Jud built a life grounded in family, and hard work. They raised two daughters, Judy and Jacque. Jo Ann was a talented cake decorator, and alongside Jud, she opened and operated a bakery in Lakeview, Ohio. Their days began before sunrise in the bakery and ended gathering eggs on their chicken ranch, which they also built and ran together.

Jo Ann later worked for the Post Office before the family relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she became a word processor for a corporate law firm. After retiring, Jo Ann served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City-a perfect calling for someone whose heart was deeply rooted in genealogy. She spent countless hours at her computer, in cemeteries, and in libraries uncovering the stories of her ancestors, and she loved helping others discover theirs as well. After her mission, she relocated to Blackfoot Idaho to live near family.

Faith was the foundation of Jo Ann's life. A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found joy in serving in various church callings and especially loved her time working in the temple.

Jo Ann's husband, Jud, preceded her in death in 1985. She lovingly and faithfully cared for him during the final years of his life a testament to her enduring devotion and compassion.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughters, Judy Fults of San Leon, Texas, and Jacque (Paul) Burt of Blackfoot, Idaho; her seven beloved grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren who brought her endless pride and joy. She is also preceded in death by her parents and all five of her siblings: Alfred Hurt, Wilma Caudill, Edwin Hurt, Catherine McDaniel, and Dale Hurt.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Elegant Living, especially Sarah, Camry and Becky for their kind and loving hearts. They would especially like to thank Bobbi Fitch for loving Jo Ann and making her laugh when no one else could. They became good friends. They would like to thank the hospice staff who cared for her, especially Grace and Jenna.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m, on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Blackfoot West Stake Center, 101 North 900 West, Blackfoot, Idaho. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot, and again for one hour prior to the service at the church.