Her mother died when Jo was a child and she was raised by her grandmother, Ina Mae (Johnson) McLemore and grandfather, John Nute McLemore and her Aunt Zelda, all of whom she adored.
Jo married Walter Todd Bigelow on February 10, 1943 at 16 years old. Jo graduated from Greenfield High School while Walt served in WWII in China and India. Following the war, Walt and Jo moved from Greenfield, MO and worked in radio together in LaJunta, CO and Goodland, KS. They moved to Kansas City in the mid-40s where Jo worked for Howard Hughes at TWA as an accountant, at Folgers Coffee, Pierce School of Interior Design and she retired from Center School District in 1986. During their 71-year union, they raised four children, Michael, Robin, Laura and Nancy and she was devoted to her family. They were members of Community Christian Church.
Jo had wide and varied interests including reading, gardening, antiquing and collecting. Jo especially loved the arts, serving as Boone School Picture Lady and working as an Interior Designer and she continued to paint beautiful bouquets until very recently. Jo also enjoyed travel, highlights included trips to Hawaii, Bahamas, France, England and a trip to the Virgin Islands with Walt. Jo and Walt enjoyed dancing and playing bridge with many friends and she continued playing with her “Bridge Ladies” well into her 90s. They retired to Osceola, MO where their pride and joy - all their grandchildren visited and got to experience the farm life with horses, gardening, baking, board games as well as epic Easter Egg Hunts. Jo was a member of the Osceola Art Guild, the Garden Club and First Christian Church and she created the Art Lady program for Osceola schools.
Jo was an innocent soul with a huge heart that made you feel like the most important person in the world. A most selfless, giving soul that was adored by everyone who met her. She had quirky ways that leave her family with many cherished memories, stories to share and laughs. She had a memory to rival anyone and would always be sure to ask how your family is, remembering all their names and what the latest news was with them. Jo will be greatly missed by her family, numerous dear friends and her loyal caregiver, Trent Hackward.
Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband Walt and adored daughter Laura. She is survived by Mike, Robin (Bill) Burnam, Nancy (Bill Graeve) White, grandchildren Angela (Vince) and Pamela (David); Jeremy (Laurel) and Caleb (Sierra); Richie, Christina (Johnny) and Patricia (Allen) and Brooks and Melanie and great-grandchildren Olivia and Vanessa, Landon and Liam, Cheyenne, Haylee, Emilee, Abby and Rylie, Alaina and Cameron.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring in Kansas City and Jo will be laid to rest with Walter in Greenfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wayside Waifs in memory of her special rescue dog, Lady.
"So I wrote your name in my heart, and that is where it will always stay." -Jessica Blade
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