Jo Ann Placker

Our beloved mother and Nana, Jo Ann Placker, went to her heavenly home on June 6, 2024.  She was born September 29, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas, to Henry Appleton Stone and Edna Louise Juelg Stone, she was 85.

 Jo Ann met her high school sweetheart, Bill, at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, and later married him on August 31, 1957 at Memorial Baptist Church.  They served God together for 63 years before he preceded her in death. Together they raised three girls, Susan, Melody, and Carol, in a happy and loving home to be thoughtful women of God. They welcomed their sons in law Bob Matjeka, Robert Shaw, and Michael Edwards and considered them as their own. 

 Known as Nana to her cherished 10 grandchildren (Bobby III, Corey, James, Joshua, Amy, Christina, Sherri, Dorthy, Elizabeth, and David), she enjoyed taking the kids on exciting outings, hosting sleepovers, and generally spoiling them rotten, but most of all, making sure that they knew the love of Jesus.  Nothing could top her grandchildren, until the great grandchildren stole her heart.  She would light up the room any time Brooklyn, Skylar, Keagan, Colt, Kreed, or Connor would come in to hug her neck.  

 God was her light and lovingly serving Him was not an option for her.  Whether it was a preschool or children’s Sunday School teacher/director, Vacation Bible School teacher, Deacon’s wife, or Mission’s Committee member, she found ways to serve God at Memorial Baptist and Highland Hills Baptist Church in San Antonio.  Retiring from Sears and moving to Mason, TX, she served at First Baptist Church.   After moving to Abilene, TX, she attended Wylie Baptist Church and found ways to be involved there as soon as she could.  

 Jo Ann was known for her kind and servant’s heart. She was the heart and soul of the family, and she will be dearly missed.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 5 brothers, 1 sister, and her grandson, James.  She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren and one sister, Doris West.  

We would like to thank the Lyndale Senior Living and Memory Care family for making our mom their family and taking such great care of her.  

“Don’t forget, I love you, but God loves you more!”

 Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 13, 2024, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.

 Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, June 14, 2024, at Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road, with Pastor’s Mike Harkrider and Darrin Ray officiating. Burial will follow in Elliott Hamil Garden of Memories.