Jo Ann Smith Wilson

Jo Ann Smith Wilson, "Joey" passed peacefully on August 30, 2024, and at 94 years old, Joey went Home. She was born in Santa Maria on October 2, 1929, to William Leland and Julia Ann (Beeson) Smith. Joey was raised in the still charming Palm Court neighborhood and in 2014, worked on the Landmark Advisory Committee to designate Palm Court 'a place of historical merit'.

Joey attended Kindergarten at the Orange Street Kindergarten building (now a Historical Landmark) and later walked the three blocks, through fields from Palm Court to Miller Street Elementary School. She attended El Camino Jr. High School where she joined the school choir that would entertain the soldiers at Camp Cook and the flight school at Hancock School of Aeronautics.

While attending Santa Maria High School, Joey found her passion for art, worked on the school newspaper and was art editor for the Annual (Yearbook). She was a Cheerleader and participated in the Journalism Club, Science Club, Girls League, K-Club and was a member of and Torch Bearer for the Camp Fire Girls. In her Junior year, Joey attended the first California State Junior Statesman summer school for girls. In her Senior year, she and a classmate formed the Junior Statesman chapter at Santa Maria HS.

Joey was off to Whittier College where was busy being involved in just about every activity possible. This is where Don Wilson stepped into her life and despite classwork being her least favorite activity, she managed to get a degree in Early Childhood Education and eventually a teaching credential. Don married Joey and they lived happily ever after until Don's passing in 2011. They had three children - all boys - and together were very active in the Santa Maria community.

In 1957, Joey was hired by the newly formed Community College District to teach a Parent Education class that included a "Nursery School" aged child attending the morning program. The program took off and the Allan Hancock Parent-Child Study Center was born. Over the years countless Santa Maria Valley parents learned priceless lessons on parenting and their children were the beneficiaries.

Whether it was the Camp Fire Cabin, Santa Maria Historical Society or the Landmark Committee, Joey was always busy. The Minerva Club of Santa Maria held a special place in her heart where she served as Board Member and President.

Because her great-grandparents built it (and eventually sold it to the Enos family), the historic Smith-Enos House in Santa Maria became a passion for Joey, and she had a significant impact on its current preservation.

Joey and her family had wonderful times enjoying traveling, camping, boating, fishing and friends. She enjoyed Don's participation in football officiating and her children's participation in athletics and officiating. Joey was athletic in her own right, playing both tennis and golf at the Santa Maria Country Club where she carded a "hole-in-one". And in her "spare time", Joey loved painting and working with her many Orchid plants.

Fondly known as "Grandma Jo" to her grandchildren, she always found a way to lovingly insert a lesson to her grandchildren and of course, redirected behavior reminiscent of that "nursey school" environment.

Joey lived a very full life for almost 95 years and touched many, many people along the way.

Joey was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Donald Edward Wilson, brother, Phillip "Bud" Smith and parents William Leland Smith and Julia Ann Smith. She is survived by sons William (Debbie) Wilson, Michael (Shauna) Wilson, Douglas (Mary) Wilson; grandchildren Tami (Tyler) Bennett, Kelly Wilson, Courtney (Danny) Webb, Jeffrey (Jocelyn) Wilson, Andrew Wilson, Alec Wilson and Lara Wilson along with numerous great-grandchildren and special friend Robert "Bob" Miller.

Friends, if they so desire may make donations to:

Minerva Club Scholarship Trust Fund, Inc or The Minerva Club Building Preservation Fund, Inc

Minerva Club of Santa Maria

PO Box 881

Santa Maria, CA 93456

www.minervaclubofsantamaria.org

Services will be held Friday, October 4th, 10:00AM at the Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the Santa Maria Country Club.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.