Ima Jo Johnson, daughter of Jack and Nola Francis, was born June 2, 1926, at White Flat, Oklahoma. She departed this life on May 10, 2016 at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 8 days.
Jo was raised in White Flat and attended school there through the 4th grade. She transferred to Mangum School, where she graduated from High School with the class of 1944. She attended college at OCW and received a degree in music. As with many young women of that era, Jo was determined to serve her country during the war and fibbed about her age to become a "Rosie the Riveter."
Jo was united in marriage to Logan Johnson on December 6, 1947, at Mangum, Oklahoma. They made their first home at Blair, Oklahoma, in Jackson County, where Logan was employed with the SCS. It was in Blair where Jo's long and rewarding teaching career began as she taught chorus for two years. In 1949, Logan was transferred to Dewey County, where they settled in Seiling and raised their two daughters. Jo taught at the one-room school in Chester for 8 years; and when the doors closed in the spring of 1968 and students began attending Seiling School, Jo continued teaching there. She taught 4th grade from 1969-72 and Special Education from 1973-76. She was the Psychometrist-Coordinator of the Tri-County Education Center in Woodward, Oklahoma, and had been with the Center since its conception in 1976. In addition to her psychometry service to the school districts of Woodward, Dewey and Ellis, she also served on the State Psychometry Program Committee 1980-81; the State Psychometrist Validation Panel 1981-92; as well as numerous on-site evaluations with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Jo had been nominated twice for outstanding Special Educator Award of the year for CEC. She was a member of the Oklahoma Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, Oklahoma Reading Council, Oklahoma Personnel/Guidance Association, Oklahoma School Psychological Association, Oklahoma Education Association, International Reading Council, and the Nescatunga Council for Exceptional Children. Along with her degrees, which include a BA in Music from Chickasha and a Masters in Elementary Education from OU, she also held certifications in Reading Specialist, Special Education Learning Disabilities, Special Education Mental Retardation Counselor, Psychometrist, School Psychologist and Elementary Administration.
In 1986, Jo retired from an illustrious career in education spanning 35 years. She was very proud of her life's calling in the field of teaching and especially of children whose lives she touched. Jo was a member of the First Baptist Church, and her love of music was evident as she led the singing during services. She was instrumental, along with long-time friend Dorothy Cook, in writing the History of the Baptist Church. Jo was also very active and a life-long member of the Music Lovers Club in Seiling, which she thoroughly enjoyed. During her retirement years, she found her "green thumb," and her love of horticulture was attested to by the variety of lovely flowers found throughout her yard. Jo was also a lover of birds, as she enjoyed watching them and listening to them sing. She made sure they were always welcomed around her home.
Jo is survived by her two daughters René Johnson and Dianne House, both of Seiling; two grandchildren Shawnna Burton and Taylor House of Seiling; one great granddaughter Avery Burton; and one sister Rhonda Short of Midwest City. Jo was preceded in death by her husband Logan and an infant daughter.
The funeral service will be held at the Seiling First Baptist Church at 10:00 AM on MONDAY May 16, 2016 with Pastor Pat Dougherty and Ronnie Smith officiating. Memorials can be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Boys Ranch Home or Brumfield Cemetery, with the Redinger Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.