Jo Ann, 85, lifelong resident of Cushing passed on February 25, 2023. Early Saturday morning she went to be with the Lord and to see “her Bobby” once again. Her home was Cushing up until the last 3 years where at this time she was with her daughter. She then resided at The Regency in Tecumseh during her last 6 months.
Jo Ann was born August 16, 1937 to Pawnee Ellen and Homer Emerson Sudheimer. She was born in Tulsa. Jo Ann was raised on a farm where she loved having the animals. She talked alot about her dogs, Sport and Witt.
She attended school in Wellston where she graduated with the class of 1955. She loved music and in school she joined the Glee Club. They put on the musical South Pacific. While on stage washing her hair she sang “I’m Going To Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”. She loved going to school, being with her friends and learning as much as she could. She was a very intellectual person. She loved reading books and learning. Growing up she would go to church with her grandparents. Her fondest memory was listening to her grandpa sing Church in the Wild Wood.
Jo Ann Rawlings met Bobby Lewis Kenzie on Aug. 9, 1953, and Sept. 11, 1953, was engaged to her. After joining the army and returning home from Germany they were united in marriage Dec. 8, 1955, in the Big Creek Church of the Brethren. To this union, two children, David and Kristye, were born. She was a homemaker all her life. Her joy was in Bobby, her children and making their home full of love. She was a member of Big Creek of the Brethren Church. Her love for the Lord, her faith and prayer was very special and important to her.
She had special memories of Bobby. One story Jo Ann would tell you was the story of how Bobby used a cigar band to measure her ring finger without her knowing. Leading to a surprising yet beautiful moment, Bobby slipped a perfectly fit ring on her finger. Another special and loving memory was every anniversary they would have footlongs and root beer floats. This was Bobby and Jo Ann’s dinner for 50 years every Dec. 8th. It was a very simple meal but it was full of love as they talked of their special memories and their life they shared. Whenever they were able to travel Jenny’s Lake became Bobby and Jo Ann’s favorite place to visit. JoAnn loved this place.
Jo Ann loved the outdoors. She loved working in her flower gardens. Each section was dedicated to something different. Bobby and JoAnn turned their yard into their own nature sanctuary. Jo Ann was a painter, a composer of music and lyrics. She wrote poetry as well. One of her greatest loves was music and being able to play the piano by ear. She could play anything she heard. She played the piano with great passion and from the heart. Her favorites songs were old hymns.
As their family began to grow it brought more love and blessings to their life. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren brought even more joy for them. They were showered with much love along with those hugs & kisses. Jo Ann loved reading books, sitting on the floor playing with the little ones. She also loved drawing and doing art with them. Jo Ann and Bobby cherished every moment they spent with their grandkids and great grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughter Kristye and Jery Haynes of Tecumseh; her sister, Janice Sudheimer of Wellston; brother in-law Tommy Bailey; 6 grandchildren, grandson JB Cooper and fiancé Jennifer, granddaughter Brandye and Cisco Sanchez, grandson Shane Cooper and Ashley, granddaughter Alysa Carder and fiancée Aaron McPherson, granddaughter Lashley and Patrick Helvey, and grandson David C Kinzie; 14 greatgrandchildren, Ryal, Tristyn, Kailer, Kelton, Kambryn, Lilly, Ty, Olive, Cornelious, Jacob, Kinzie, Gabe, Michael and William. Also survived by several nieces and nephews; and her dearest friend Earnestine Hodo.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bobby of 50 years, son David, her parents, one sister, three brothers-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Big Creek Church of the Brethren.
Services are under the direction of the Matherly-Davis Funeral Home. Condolences can be left at www. matherlydavisfuneralhome.com
