Mrs. Jo Ann Hancock

Funeral services for Jo Ann Langford Hancock, 89, of Carthage, Texas will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dale Walker and Rev. Anderson Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Bethel Cemetery in Gary, Texas, under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Hawthorn Funeral Home.

Jo Ann Langford Hancock was born on August 14, 1936, in the Buncombe Community and passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 8, 2026. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior and reunited with the one she dearly loved for 62 earthly years, her husband, Calvin. Jo Ann was one of two children born to the late Buford Langford and Emma Cecil Ritter Langford. She attended Buncombe School grades 1-5. She graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1954. She attended Panola College and then furthered her education at Stephen F. Austin University graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor's in Education.

She married Rev. Joseph Calvin Hancock on December 27, 1956. He preceded her in death on January 18, 2018. Her greatest joy was serving as a devoted pastor's wife throughout the ministry of her husband. They made lasting and lifelong friendships throughout their ministry at churches in the state of Texas. She loved teaching Sunday School, serving in children's ministry, and faithfully filled any role needed in the churches where Calvin pastored.

Jo Ann also enjoyed a career as a teacher for 34 years. She developed deep relationships with her students who remember her fondly as their first-grade teacher and her gift for teaching lessons through life stories. She taught at Carthage Primary in Carthage ISD for 21 years and made lasting friendships with her co-workers who were like family.

Until her health began to fail, Jo Ann was an active member of the church where she held membership even after Calvin passed. She was a member of Eastside Baptist Church in Gary, Texas, a church for which she had a deep love and devotion. She believed strongly in the importance of God's Word and His church. She always treasured the opportunity to be in God's house with God's people.

Jo Ann is survived by a loving and devoted family. Daughters, Janet Humber and husband Greg of Carthage, Texas, Donna Williams and husband John of Avery, Texas, Marian Ewald and husband Todd of Wapakoneta, Ohio. Son, David Hancock and wife Renee of Georgetown, Texas. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren who called her "Mamaw" and gave her great joy. Grandchildren, Trey Williams and wife Norrisa, Philip Humber and wife Kristan, Molly Minter and husband John, Jacob Rushton, and Brooks Hancock. Great grandchildren, Lydia Williams, Haddie Williams, Hank Minter, John Humber, and Oce Minter. She is also survived by her dear sister, Jeanette and husband Troy Lake of Gary, Texas. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived and loved by many in-laws from Calvin's family, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

The family would like to express appreciation to those who became like family in providing care for Jo Ann when she needed assistance – the entire staff and residents at Winkler Court, Accent Care Hospice, and caregivers, Vicki Alexander and Judy Foster.

Serving as pallbearers are Steve Strain, Dwain Lake, Trey Williams, John Minter, Philip Humber, Jacob Rushton, and Brooks Hancock.

Jo Ann truly exemplified one of her favorite verses in how she lived every day of her life, "This is the day the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24.

Memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, Gary, Texas, or Mt. Bethel Cemetery Gary, Texas.