She was born on August 4, 1935 in Peoria the only daughter of Gerald and Wilda (Baggs) Huffman.
She married Paul Smith Jr on December 22, 1954 at the Trivoli United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on January 19, 2007.
Surviving are five children, Paul Scott (Ananelis) Smith of Willowbrook, IL, Laurel (Theo) Brown of Trivoli, Jay (Terri) Smith of Canton, Lisa (Mark) Kiesewetter of Yates City, Doug (Melinda) Smith of Trivoli, thirteen grandchildren, Luke (Tiffany) Eccles, Danny (Cozette) Smith, Lindsey Eccles, Adam (Michelle) Smith, Shana (Kyle) Harms, Kurt (Julie) Eccles, Kyle (Kathryn) Kiesewetter, Alyssa (Chris) Hicks, Colton (Samantha Kruger) Smith, Ella Smith as well as Emmy Haley, Chloe Haley, Faith Haley and twelve great grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister-in-law Janet Huffman, brother-in-law, John (Peggy) Smith, two nieces, three nephews, two very special friends, Mary Cartee, Connie Chance and classmates, Judy Tusek and Donna DeGroot.
Also preceding her in death is her brother, Jerry Huffman.
Jo was a true homemaker as she raised her five children and later several of her grandchildren. She graduated from Farmington Community High School and attended Western University in Macomb. Later, she worked at County Market (formerly Day & Palin) and Farmington Country Manor in the dietary department for five years. She then became a Mary Kay consultant for over 25 years before retiring.
Jo Ann was mostly proud of being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Nothing thrilled her more than attending and rooting for her family at their sporting or entertaining events that she didn’t miss. She absolutely loved taking pictures, cake decorating, singing in the Trivoli Methodist Church choir, scrapbooking, sunsets, horseshows and the St Louis Cardinals. She was a huge support as her husband and two older children showed many Tennessee Walking Horses in the 60’s and 70’s. Another activity of Jo’s was helping her church with funeral dinners and making apple dumplings for the Spoon River Drive. She volunteered for ten years for the ”Pink Ladies” at Proctor Auxiliary with over 1500 hours of service. She recently had been attending the Hanna City Presbyterian Church. Also she enjoyed traveling to Tucson and Florida.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Hanna City Presbyterian Church. A visitation will be on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood.
Burial will immediately follow at Texas Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St Jude Rides.
To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.
Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.
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