Tribute to Jo Ann McDole
By: Wilma Jones Gayden (Aunt)

Jo Ann was the beloved and only child of Leroy McDole and Dorothy Mae Hopkins. She
was born December 13, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The date of death was
January 10, 2024 in Hemet, California.

In the early years Jo Ann was raised by her maternal grandmother, Josephine Jones.
She lived with the Jones family in a small farmhouse in Northeast Louisiana. The
Joneses were a family of eight. Jo Ann was more like a sister than a niece, she was
calm, quiet, and stayed out of trouble. Dorothy, her mother, always provided for Jo Ann,
and at the time, the other five children as well.

At an early age Jo Ann accepted Christ, at the Mt. Wade Baptist Church in Epps,
Louisiana. Around the age of 10 Jo Ann went to live with her mother in Houston and
joined the New Life Baptist Church. Jo Ann excelled in private classes in music and
voice. She was an excellent student at her high school, B.C. Elmore and graduated with
the class of 1965.

She first studied Biology and Medicine in College and then decided to study Law. She
graduated from Western State University, in Fullerton, California. Jo Ann passed the
California State Bar and practiced law in California for over thirty years.
Jo Ann accomplished a lot as a single woman, including founding her own law firm and
owning property in California. When able, Jo Ann joined her large Texas family for
special celebrations.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

Her memory will be shared by her Aunts: Josephine Jackson, Clara James, and Adele
Hopkins, Dessie Hopkins, Shirley McIntyre, Maggie Sephus, Martha Ann Jones;
Uncles: Willard Jones, Lucius Hopkins, Elbert Hopkins, J.L. Standfield.

A Special Thank you: Lonnie C. and Jerry Hopkins; Lourdes Parker – friend and co-
worker in California; Robert and Tish LeClair – devoted neighbors and friends; Orine
Tuitavuki – Devonshire Facility, Hemet, CA; Denise Benner – hands-on comfort to Jo
Ann; Lighthouse Church – a card of love, Hemet, CA; New Hope Baptist Church,
Seattle, WA; Prayer Team: Elma Horton, Betty Reed, Almeta White, Jessie Turner, Kitty
Cole Williams, Gloria Jones Walker.

Documents / Online Support: Anquanette Jackson, Wynetta Jones, Kizuwanda Grant,
Curiya Webber, Curtis Gayden and Jamie Grant, II.

Additional Thanks for the services of the J. Vanderveen Law Firm – California, Kern
Mortuary – California and the Duncan Mortuary – Houston.

Funeral services will be held on Friday February 2, 2024 at Duncan Mortuary Chapel.

Viewing starting at 10:00 am followed by a 11:00 am Funeral.

Minister Josephine Jackson, Eulogist.

Interment: Golden Gate Cemetery.