Jo "JoAnn" Ann Woods

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 05, 2021 from 5pm to 7pm at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St in Amarillo. Funeral services will take place at 10am on Saturday, March 07, 2021 in the funeral home’s Pioneer Chapel with Jim Shelburne presiding. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery’s Garden of Cross, 6969 Interstate 40 East. Should you not be able or wish not to attend the in person, a livestream of the service will be available at www.facebook.com/griggsschoolergordon.

Jo Ann Lane was born in Amarillo, Texas on September 20, 1931 to Robert Leslie and Alice Lucile (Vaughn) Lane. She was raised her entire life in Amarillo with her brother Bobby. In 1950, she graduated from Amarillo High School. Following graduation, JoAnn took up a career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She remained with the company for 37 years promoting and working in many different positions before finally retiring in 1988 as a clerk. JoAnn was a member of the Washington Ave. Christian Church. She was a believer in the Lord, and followed his teachings with a great passion.

She married Bill Stephens in 1951 and together they had two children, Rhonda and Steve. In 1970, she remarried to Malcom “Mal” Woods, and they welcomed their son Brad. Together, they raised a beautifully blended family. JoAnn was a member of many organizations in her life. She volunteered for the Texas Workforce Commission, Pioneers, and was the “Volunteer of the Year” for the Red Hatters.

She also had many hobbies like participating in various bowling leagues. JoAnn loved redoing old furniture and bringing it back to life. She was affectionately known as a “dumpster diver” by her family for her willingness to repurpose anything she found. She collected antiques and at one time even had her own antique booth. When not repurposing old items, she enjoyed square-dancing, 42 parties, going on cruises and playing a good game of Bunko.

JoAnn was a classy lady who was always upbeat, a kind and thoughtful friend, and was always willing to help those in need. She had a great sense of humor, and a beautiful personality which can only be described as her being beautiful both inside and out.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mal Woods, sons Steve Lane Stephens and David Bradley Woods, step son Michael Woods, and brother Bobby Lane. Those left to cherish her memories are her stepsons Monte Woods and wife Rae, and Bill Woods, daughter Rhonda Ann Sudbury and husband Jim of Amarillo, and step daughter Cindy Kouri of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, as well as many other loving family members and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation in honor of JoAnn Woods to the American Cancer Society or the Washington Avenue Christian Church Family Center.