On Saturday, December 21, 2024, Jo Ann Poyer ran into the arms of her precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a beloved mom, Nana, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend to many. Jo Ann was born to Sammie Lee Griffith and Emma Dell (Daniel) Griffith in Brushy, a small community in West Texas. She was welcomed into the world at her family farmhouse where her dad and brother were also born.
In 1945, the family moved to Paint Creek, another small farming community in Haskell County, where she attended school and was active in FHA and played basketball. Her coach said she had more heart than any player he’d coached. She then went to Hardin-Simmons University where she was an HSU Cowgirl and earned a degree in Elementary Education. After graduation, she moved to Anaheim, California, where at a church league bowling team, she met the love of her life, Jim Poyer. Jim liked to say they met in an alley. Their courtship involved trips to the ocean, mountains, Catalina Island, and many other adventures. Jim proposed on the beach and in July 1967 they were married at Paint Creek Baptist Church.
After a 2-month honeymoon, they packed up their Chevy Impala and moved to Tulsa. They bought their first home and shared it with their children, Kristi, and Reid. On Reid’s 1 year birthday, they moved to a home with 10 acres outside of Claremore where she made every holiday special, grew bountiful gardens, and helped her kids with their many animals. In November 1996, Jim passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm.
Jo Ann downsized in the fall of 2012 and moved into “town” (Claremore) where her gift of hospitality was shared with so many friends and family who visited her pretty home. Always up for a card game or puzzle, Jo Ann started one of the first Bunco groups in Claremore. Jo Ann enjoyed cooking, baking, and partaking in sweets—especially Braum’s ice cream! Her passion for preserving memories led her to create numerous scrapbooks, often having scrapbooking parties with her sisters. Jo Ann traveled all over the country with friends and family visiting South America and all 50 states in the United States -- oh how she loved the ocean! A passionate OKC Thunder fan, she would always buy the NBA package so she could watch every game.
Jo Ann was a treasured mom to Kristi Poyer Weeden and Reid Poyer. Mother-in-law to Alex Weeden and Tammy Poyer. She was the best and most loved “Nana” to four grandchildren, Garrison, and Emma Poyer and Xander, and Indie Weeden. Jo Ann did her best to be part of her grandchildren’s lives, traveling to see them, showering them with adventures during “Camp Nanakpo,” encouraging them to memorize scriptures with creative contests, and taking them on a trip of their choice when they turned 12. When Kristi’s job brought her to Tulsa, Jo Ann would care for Xander, and they built a precious relationship.
Jo Ann is also survived by her three sisters, Emilee Goff, Wanda Thompson and Marilyn Griffith, and her brother, Dan Riley Griffith. Sister-n-law to Bill Goff and Kenny Thompson and aunt to numerous nieces, nephews. Cousins and an abundance of loyal friends also survive her.
Jo Ann was an active member at First Baptist Claremore for 40 years, where she taught Sunday School and Jim was deacon until his death. Her love language of hospitality and loving others was evident by leading a bread ministry and championing their Operation Christmas Children/ Good Samaritan program, which gave thousands of Christmas gifts to children all over the world. She has many treasured friendships from this church. Jo Ann’s faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was the first and foremost in her life and evident in the way she served others. Jo Ann known for her gentle spirit and beautiful smile was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.
Jo Ann loved children and taught elementary school for over 30 years in the Claremore/Tiawah area as well as First Baptist Christian School, where her gift of teaching made a difference in so many lives. Always full of grace, kindness and a beautiful smile, her students and other teachers adored her, many with whom she developed deep friendships.
Jo Ann suffered a stroke in 2019, and side effects from that eventually made it necessary to move to Claremore Courtyard Assisted Living. There she made a lasting impression with her welcoming attitude. Numerous friends would come daily keeping her company and caring for her needs. As her health continued to decline and she was wheelchair bound, Jo Ann moved back to her home state of Texas in August 2024. She lived at a personal care home in New Braunfels, Texas, where she was cared for and safe. Now close to Kristi and her family, Jo Ann looked forward to her sweet visits and milkshakes that Xander would bring.
We grieve because Jo Ann was such a pillar of encouragement and compassion to so many. We grieve because she loved her family and friends with all her heart. However, we grieve with the hope of God, knowing that Jo Ann is now healed and made perfect in Heaven. Jo Ann would not want us to be sad, but to rejoice in the fact that those of us who have given our lives to Christ, will one day join her in Heaven for eternity. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.
Jo Ann’s memorial service is Friday, Jan 3, 2025, at First Baptist Church Claremore Worship Center. Her viewing is Jan 2, 2025, at MMS-Payne funeral home from 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. with the family receiving visitors 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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