Jo Anne Martin

Mrs. Jo Anne Martin, a.k.a ”Ms. Pooky”, was born on April 5, 1946 in Laurel Mississippi - the daughter of George Berry and Earline McCurdy. She was a devoted wife of over 49 ½ years to Henry Martin Sr. Jo Anne passed away May 17th 2017.

Jo Anne loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served as a true example of His guiding light - “she was a virtuous woman; her price was far above rubies” Prov. 31:10.  Jo Anne only gave advice when asked but her answers were always, “Thus says the Lord.” “She opened her mouth with wisdom - she was neither sullenly silent nor full of impertinent talk, but she spoke discreetly and piously. In her tongue was the law of kindness - “her speech was guided by wisdom and grace and not passions” Prov. 31:26. Jo Anne was an active faithful member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Lockport, Illinois.  Jo Anne worked in the kitchen served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, a member of the Women’s Ministry and church Deaconess until her health prevented her from doing so. She dearly loved her church and church family.

Mrs. Jo Anne Martin leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband Henry Martin Sr.; two sons, Henry T. Jr. and Corey (LaShunna) both of Joliet; 4 grandchildren, Henry III, Aerionna, Corey Jr. and Aloni; 2 beautiful great-grandchildren, Zoey and Isaiah; 4 sisters, Mary Stokes, Hattie (Charles deceased) Bradley, Penny (LaVerne) Morgan, and Tammie Berry; 2 brothers Willie George (Carmen) and Ronald Berry; 2 aunts, Johnnie and Josephine whom she loved dearly; a special sister-in-love Peggy (William deceased) Abernathy who cared for and loved her to the very end; a special niece/daughter Earnestine (Gary) Everett; and Ruthie Poke who was more family than friend always being there for her and her husband in all their situations; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jo Anne was known as the “Cook” - she loved preparing big meals for the holidays. The larger the crowd the happier she was. Peach cobbler, macaroni and cheese and pound cake were her specialties; she later passed the pound cake recipe to her loving husband. When her knees gave out she began using her rocking chair on wheels to maneuver around the kitchen prepping and cooking from the stove to the refrigerator - nothing could stop her desire to feed her loved ones. No one left the kitchen without a carryout.

Jo Anne was an avid fisherwoman and although she could not swim she loved the boat. She would stay on the water from dawn to dusk. There was no such thing as sleeping in on a fishing trip. She and her loving husband Henry, had a trip planned for next week but it will be postponed until they meet again.

“The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31: 11-12

The family would like to express their thanks to Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and friends who showed tremendous love during this time and to the wonderful care and support received from the Joliet Area Community Hospice in her final days.

A celebration of Jo Anne’s life will begin on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 with a visitation at Shiloh Baptist Church in Joliet from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be on Monday, May 22, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road.