Jo Ann Glosson

1935 - 2025

Jo Ann Glosson was born in Dripping Springs, Texas February 25, 1935. She passed peacefully in hospice care on January 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father Johnny F Glosson, mother Hazel V Puryear, brother JF Glosson Jr., son Terry D Whittle and husband Leonard C Whittle. She is survived by her sister Martha Jane Ahlders, son Michael L. Whittle, daughter Linda D. Potthoff, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Jo Ann married Leonard Whittle in 1951. They met when he was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. She lived most of her married life on or near military bases in Texas, Ohio, Alaska and Oklahoma before returning to Austin in 1968.

She divorced Leonard C Whittle in 1974. She married Daniel Lawyer in 1980 and divorced in 1987. She addressed the United States congress as Jo Ann Lawyer in the early 1980's advocating for the fair treatment of divorced military wives. She argued that divorced wives were entitled half of their husband's military retirement benefits. Congress agreed.

She retired from Texas Teachers Retirement System in 2000 and lived in her home on Lake Travis until moving into a memory care community in 2018. She wrote poetry about her family and friends during her retirement. Her book of poetry, 'Love Jo Ann', was published in 2019.

Jo Ann was a beautiful, loving, spiritual, talented, independent woman who will be missed by everyone who knew her. Her funeral will be attended by her family at the Puryear cemetery.