Jo Ann Simpson

Jo Ann (Gibbany) Simpson, 91, of Edmond, OK, left this world to sing in the celestial choir on March 15, 2025.

Jo Ann was born in a little house south of St. Joseph, MO, on June 12, 1933, to Guy Knight Gibbany and Ollie Dale (Stephens) Gibbany. Jo Ann was the 7th and youngest child. Guy worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, so they moved around Missouri and Kansas, as the job required.

They eventually settled in Plainville, KS, where she met and married Allen Louis Simpson on Feb. 13, 1949, in Manhattan, Kansas. They were married 64 years.

Jo Ann is survived by her three children: David Allen Simpson & Sherri, Vance Brian Simpson & Nancy, and Deborah Ann (Simpson) Spaulding & Kenneth; five grandchildren: Melissa Ann (Simpson) Wilson and Greg, Ivan Jeffrey Simpson, Nathan Wakan Simpson and Alicia, Daniel Joseph Spaulding, Cynda Jeree (Spaulding) Woodham and Chris; eight great grandchildren: Riley Brennan (Wilson) Carr, Kody Kaelen Wilson, Blake Allen Simpson, Madison Cathleen Simpson, Adynn Ann Simpson, Gracie Mae Simpson, Zoe Layne Kelley-Spaulding, Lilah Ann Woodham; and 5 great great grandchildren.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband Allen and siblings: George Thomas Gibbany, Ora Bell Gibbany, Guy Woodrow Gibbany, Ross Allen Gibbany, Nellie Maude Gibbany, and Donald Dale Gibbany.

In 1962 the family transferred to Ellinwood, Kansas then again in 1963 to Oklahoma City, bought the Carlyle Motel on Route 66 in Oklahoma City and successfully operated it for 30 years.

Jo Ann sang in the church choir and with the Sweet Adelines for many years and enjoyed performing in many places including China and the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1977.

After retiring in 1994, Jo Ann and Allen enjoyed traveling and did a lot of it. Jo Ann also volunteered over 12,000 hours at Deaconess Hospital. She was a good and kind person who touched many with her kindness.

The funeral was at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th at Crawford Family Funeral Service, 610 NW 178th St, Edmond, OK.

The graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29th at Norman Cemetery North of Hays, KS, on Hwy 183 and 7 miles East on Saline River Road. We will gather for pizza afterward.