Jo Ann Hurst
1931 – 2022
Jo Ann (Herndon) Hurst, of Edmond, passed away on November 9, 2022. Jo Ann was born August 23, 1931, in Wichita Kansas, to Joe Herndon and Maxine (Hunt) Herndon. She attended East High where she enjoyed music and chorus. After graduation she attended Abilene University, pursuing her love of vocal performance. She was an accomplished singer, played the piano, and enjoyed many types of music. Jo Ann married William “Bill” Carl Hurst on October 26, 1952, in Wichita, Kansas.
Jo Ann had various sales or clerical jobs and taught piano through the years her children were growing up. However, Jo Ann’s main priority was taking care of Bill and their three boys. She retired from Oklahoma Christian University in 1995 having served as receptionist as well as performing other administrative duties.
Jo Ann was a long-time member at Memorial Road Church of Christ, serving the congregation and their friends. She was always willing to share her cooking talents and, in particular, her homemade pies with friends and family. Bill and Jo Ann both loved music and were wonderful singers. They shared that love and gift with their sons.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, William (Bill) Hurst, her parents, Joe Herndon and Maxine Herndon, and stepmother Maybelle (Stahl) Herndon. Jo Ann is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Janet Herndon, stepbrother Bruce Stahl, and three sons: Don Hurst and wife Naomi, of Garland, Texas, Gary Hurst and wife Sylvia, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and David Hurst and wife Nancy, of Ninnekah, Oklahoma. She is also survived by 7 grandsons, their wives, and 16 great grandchildren.
Jo Ann struggled with Alzheimer’s for several years. The family would like to thank the host of nurses, doctors, aides, and caregivers who helped make her more comfortable. Tealridge Assisted Living and Memory Care, Veraden Memory Care, and Traditions Hospice provided exceptional care; her sons are deeply grateful for their kind gestures and compassionate support.
Her loved ones will gather for a remembrance but there will not be a public ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or their beloved church, Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond.