JoAnn Kessel

Jo Ann Kessel, “Jo”, was born 5/30/28 in Oklahoma City to Dr. Darrel G. and Naomi Coon Duncan of Ada, Oklahoma. After her father’s death, she was adopted by her step-father, attorney William M. Dodson. Jo graduated from Muskogee Central High School, attended College of the Holy Names in Oakland, California, Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, and received her B.A. degree at University of Oklahoma. She attended Worden School of Social Service in San Antonio, Texas and gained her Master of Social Work degree at University of Oklahoma.

Jo fulfilled a career in working with children and families. She was a child welfare worker for Oklahoma DHS; Adoption Petition Worker in Louisiana; Regional Adoption Worker for Dallas and Tarrant counties in Texas; school social worker and Indian Education Consultant for the Oklahoma City Public Schools for 20 years; and as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Social Work, she managed a child welfare student training program and developed and taught classes in family and Indian Child Welfare. Jo was selected Outstanding Educator in America.

After retirement, she taught classes in parenting at Parents Assistance Center. She was a member of the Choctaw Tribe, and her appreciation for Indian and western art, combined with a love of history, allowed her to become a docent at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center where she showcased her contemporary Indian fashions as well as at Indian arts shows throughout the southwest.

Jo enjoyed collecting antiques for her home in Nichols Hills which was the G.A.Nichols show home for the Nichols Hills edition in 1929, and raised and showed standard dachshunds into their championships. She pursued a love of writing and completed two books: "Barney Kessel; A Jazz Legend”, and "Piavinnia: The Bent-Guerrier Connection”.

Jo was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, National Association of Social Workers, Oklahoma Board of Licensed Social Workers, Oklahoma Choctaw Nation, National Cowboy Hall and Western Heritage Center, Oklahoma Writers Club, Wednesday Book Club, Dachshund Club, and the Friday Discussion Group, which she founded.

She was predeceased by her sister DeDe Maxwell of Oklahoma City and survived by her brother Dr. Tom Dodson of Tulsa and nephews Ryan Dodson of Broken Arrow and Dr. Brennan Dodson of Bozeman, Montana.

In lieu of flowers, you may want to contribute to your favorite animal charity.

“Life is short

And we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us.

So be swift to love

Make haste to be kind.”

Taken from Henri-Frederic Amiel’s journal 1821-1881.

A visitation for JoAnn will be held Friday, September 24, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A memorial service will occur Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery Historic Chapel, 13400 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73131.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Kessel family.