Jo Ann Hoekenga

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Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: May 03 2018 12:42 PM

Jo Ann Charles Hoekenga, Child of God, passed into eternal life on April 29, 2018, at Flowers Hospital. Jo Ann was born July 26, 1959, to Billy Joe and Margaret Ann Smith Charles of Heflin, AL. She was a proud band member, majorette, and 1977 graduate of Cleburne County High School. Jo Ann attended the University of Alabama, where she met her husband, Steve. She graduated in 1981, and they were married in December of that year. They lived in Mobile before settling in Dothan, AL, in 1983. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, and a fierce and thoughtful friend. Jo Ann was a member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, a regular at Geneva Presbyterian Church, an HA and DHS Band Booster, Girl Scout leader, and so much more than can be named. She worked for over 10 years at Troy University Dothan, taking care of everyone in the College of Arts and Sciences. Jo Ann enjoyed sitting outside on the porch with her family and dogs, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, attending her children’s honors ceremonies and musical performances (no matter how far away), solving TV mysteries before the characters could, and fellowshipping with family and friends. Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Steve Hoekenga; loving children, Emily Ann Hoekenga, Joseph Ryan Hoekenga, and Charles Dean Hoekenga; four-legged family members, Lucy, Linus, Spirit, and Midnight; granddog, Coda; aunts, Shirley Charles of Heflin, Betty Charles Holmes of Anniston, and Carol Charles Gregg of Auburn; uncle, Jerome W. Smith of Cypress, Texas; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Billy Joe Charles and Margaret Ann Smith Charles.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, May 8, from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home with celebration of life service immediately to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Geneva Presbyterian Church, or the Wiregrass Humane Society.

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