Jo Ann Whitfield

Jo Ann Whitfield, age 86, passed away near Morrison, OK on Friday October 27, 2023. Jo Ann was born in Perry, IA on May 23, 1937 to Edith and James Carlisle. She attended school in Perry, IA and graduated from Morrison, OK.

Jo Ann married Collins James at age 17 and they had a son Randy James three years later. She was an involved mother and took Randy to multiple sports practices and events. At Randy’s wrestling matches, most fans preferred to watch Jo Ann in the stands since she was far more entertaining than Randy was on the mat. She was a talented baton twirler and taught lessons.

She married John Charles Whitfield on May 3, 1980. They managed to move every few years, residing in Ponca City and Tulsa, Oklahoma and then to Elkhorn, NE before LA Cruces, NM followed by Lubbock, TX (Charles home town). The next move was to West Branson, MO before finally settling in Stillwater, OK.

She was a proud member of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in 1969 and State Grand Esther during 1975-1976. In that role, she traveled to most Oklahoma towns in her 1974 Gran Prix. The state Grand Family stayed in touch for nearly 50 years.

Jo Ann is survived by her son Randy James (Becky), grandsons Craig James and Christopher James (Kyla) and brother Bob Carlisle and niece Lisa Sims and nephew Tod Carlisle.

She was predeceased by her parents James and Edith Carlisle, Charles Whitfield and sister-in-law Verna Carlisle.

A family memorial will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.