Jo Anna Parker

Jo Anna Maxwell Parker was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 3rd, 1937, to James (Jim) Sinclair Maxwell and Anna Lynn Hall Maxwell. In Shawnee she went home to live in peace in her heavenly mansion on Saturday, August 29th, 2026. She was second in the line of four siblings, two boys and two girls.

Jo Anna grew up in Seminole, her beloved hometown, graduating in 1955. After graduation she moved to Oklahoma City for a secretary job. It was on a ride back to Seminole for a visit that Billie Houston Parker, a long-time friend of her older brother, told her that he was going to marry her. She laughed it off, but he eventually won her heart, and they were married June 1st, 1957. Bill had joined the Air Force and they made their home over the nearly 68 years in many states as well as Japan. The were blessed to add two beloved sons in the first 7 years.

Supporting her husband while he served his country and obtained the honored rank of colonel, Jo Anna did her best to hold down the fort. During their time in Houston, she completed a medical office management course at the Bryman School of Nursing interning for a time. In Florida she obtained her broker realtor license enjoying much success in that field as well as having a number of home rentals. After Bill retired, they formed a new company selling aviation survival products. Interestingly, when they decided to close up shop, relax and stop working so hard, their last invoice was to Bob Hope, who wrote the check himself. After surviving Hurricane Opal, Jo Anna and Bill decided tornadoes were preferable and moved back to Oklahoma to be near family.

Jo Anna loved entertaining, being the hostess with the mostest whether with family or friends. She kept her love of reading, learning and numbers with her throughout her life. She enjoyed music, especially when her adoring husband would serenade her while playing the guitar. Jo Anna also inherited from her mother a love of all things gold and sparkly. The running joke which made her laugh, was that she was the “Gaudy Lady”.

Jody loved her family and friends introducing them as “my precious…” She especially loved when the nieces and nephews would come by bringing their children and grandchildren. That made her beautiful, movie star quality smile shine. And Jody loved her Lord, living in awe that he would love and sacrifice His life for her. In the months before she passed, she spoke with peace and excitement of going home to heaven to be with God, her family gone ahead, and especially her Billie Houston whom she missed immensely.

Preceding Jo Anna in death were her parents, her two brothers and her beloved husband. She is survived by their two sons, her “baby sister”, a daughter-in-law, one grandson and a whole host of nieces, nephews and friends who will all miss her.

A special thank you goes to the caregivers at Primrose Retirement Community and Cohesive Hospice Care who became family to us. She loved and appreciated you all as we do also.

Memorial services will be at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2026.