WILMA JO MITCHELL
Wilma Jo Tucker Mitchell died on Friday, June 23, 2023. Burial will be in the family plot, at the cemetery in Albany on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial reception and lunch at The Old Jail Art Center at 11:00 am. All are welcome. Services are under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde.
Jo was born in Wolfforth, Lubbock County, Texas, on Oct. 30, 1925. Her parents were Joseph Arthur and Fannie Dare Anderson Tucker. Jo attended schools in Albany, Texas, graduating in 1942 as Salutatorian of her class. Jo attended McMurry College (now University) in Abilene, where she was a member of the McMurry Maidens Orchestra.
During WWII, Jo worked for a defense related company in Dallas. After the war, she attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, where she was a member of the Honor Society and DFD Social Club. She married R.P. Mitchell in Albany, Texas, on April 12, 1947.
While her son attended school, Jo always found time to be a room mother many times and bake special treats for the children. She was involved with the PTO and served as president. Jo worked most of her life in various offices, retiring in 1997 from The Old Jail Art Center, where she had been a staff member for ten years.
Jo’s favorite pastime was traveling, beginning at age 63. During her years of travel, she visited 40 countries encompassing three continents, and most of the U.S. states. Jo served for 42 years as a volunteer docent for The Old Jail Art Center, spending many hours working on weekends and assisting with food preparation for exhibition openings. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Albany, and a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Her husband, parents, four sisters and four brothers preceded her in death. Jo is survived by a son, Marshall of Euless, Texas, and special nieces and caregivers, Kelly Green of Albany, Marsha and husband Gene Gray of Fort Worth, Betty and husband John Agan of Round Rock, Enola Tullis of Hubbard Lake, and several other beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be given to the Robert E. Nail Archives OJAC, and mailed to The Old Jail Art Center, 201 South 2nd Street, Albany, Texas 76430, or to your favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com. PD
