Jo Ann Compton

Please be in prayer for the families as they walk through this difficult time of sorrow and yet knowing that Jo Ann is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jo Ann loved the Lord and was dedicated to the scriptures, lived a life of integrity, and did everything to help others to do the same. She followed Thessalonians 5:16-18, which states, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". , 

 Jo Ann found comfort in Joshua 1:9. "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." While she waited to be joined with her husband of 43 years, Charles W. Compton who has been waiting for her homecoming. As we celebrate her life, she celebrates from heaven with our Lord and Savior and those whom we love that have been called home before her. So it is not goodbye, it is I'll see you again soon and have eternity together. She lived her life loving the Lord, praying for others and always giving more than she received.

Her prayer warrior days started with attending Bible Study Fellowship for more than 36 years to deeply understand God's Word so she could be the hands and feet of our LORD here on earth. Her prayer list was long and many felt the love and peace from God answering her prayers. She had a passion for memorizing scripture and encouraging others to also do so. 

Over the years while she waited for the Lord to call her home, she spent time ballroom dancing and taking weekly lessons. She especially looked forward to attending Prom at the IRT ballroom. 

When spring arrived after a long winter's nap you would see the labor of love she had for her flower garden. She carefully pruned the Lilac bush that has graced her yard for more than 50 years. When in bloom the beautiful fragrant of lilacs graced her home. Her family found her often sitting on the back porch enjoying the tranquility and peacefulness. A favorite place to celebrate her birthday, mother's day and any family gatherings.

If you dared to play euchre with her, you better be playing to win, she was very competitive in family tournaments and enjoyed teaching her grandchild how to play at a very young age. She organized weekly and monthly euchre events with her friends and they shared many days of laughter and lunch while playing cards over the years. 

Early in her grandchildren's lives, she taught them the secret recipe to baking her famous cherry pies and noodles. Her cherry pies are known far and wide that people choose to eat pie first. She passed the torch many years ago and her grandchildren do her proud by carrying on her legacy for all pitch-ins and gatherings. She will forever be remembered when her pie is on the dessert table. 

The holidays would not be a holiday without her noodles, a Compton family recipe she learned early in her marriage to Chuck. And another cooking lesson that was passed on with love and with the yummiest results. The comfort food you wanted her to cook when you came home to visit. The smell of home can be found under the lid of the noodle pot! 

Over the years the Florida beaches called to Chuck and Jo Ann for the family vacation, it was an annual trip that involved wrapping coins that Jo Ann earned from tips in her waitress years and the pocket change that Chuck threw into a milk bottle. Enduring the Long ride in the station wagon with no air to feel the sea air. And when the kids grew up and moved out they continued the annual trip in October for a quiet walk on the beach together. As grandchild came along they joined in those fall vacations at the beach, where grandpa Chuck taught the kids to hunt for shark teeth and grandma JoAnn made daily breakfasts and packed PB & Js for the beach. As the years progress the beach still called to us after Chuck was called home, Long walks on the beach will forever hold our hearts and memories. I am sure if we picked up a pink shell we will hear her say, do you think this one is pretty? She was the best co-pilot, knew the route by heart and all the stops, pointed out the "See Rock City" sign, made sure the kids knew when they crossed the state lines, and into the city of Chattanooga she would choo, choo with her grandkids. And at every rest stop show them where they were, how far to go on the map. And tell them to smell the sea salt air as we drive over the Florida state line. The beach was within sight and the water would be refreshing and the sand warm between their toes. 

 Jo Ann became more adventurous and traveled to Mackinac Island over the years and found that it was a great 4th of July adventure with watermelon seed spitting and the 3 legged race. She always said she would like to see more of the west and was packed and ready when the month-long Arizona vacation was planned. We went, we saw, we explored and she was along to see it all, the creators, the rocks, the Grand Canyon and the cowboys. She kept the kids watching out the window for a cowboy for her to meet. She loved watching westerns and could name all the famous Hollywood actors and tell you which ones were the good cowboys and the bad ones. But at the top of her list was John Wayne. 

Jo Ann Compton is survived by her children Charles Ross and Laura McKay, her 6 grandchildren Brooke, Carly, Blake McKay, Nicole (Mitch) Scheperle, Alex (Alyssa) Apter, Samuel (Mel) Hurwitz and her 4 great-grandchildren, Cohen, Adyson, Sonny and Ari. Her daughter Victoria Ross precedes her in death. She is also survived by a brother Wayne Passwater and sister Linda Passwater Woods. Brothers; Lloyd Jr, Dick, Keith, and Ronnie all precede her in death along with their parents Lloyd and Nettie Passwater.