Jo Ann (Pud) Johnson, 77 of Hooker Oklahoma Passed away February 28, 2023 at her
granddaughter's home in Salina Kansas.
Jo was born October 16 1945 in Hooker, Oklahoma, the daughter of Adam Robert and
Minnie Ruth Garrett Young. She was the youngest of seven children and was given the
nickname "Pud" for her keen ability to find and eat all the pudding in the house. She was
always proud of sharing that she was born in a dugout style home Her dad, Adam, won
in a poker game.
In 1953, her mother died unexpectedly so her oldest sister Dorothy (Dorthymom) and
husband Ed took on the responsibility of raising Jo and two other siblings in addition to
their own 3 children. Dorthy and Ed moved them all to Natchitoches, Louisiana, where
Jo lived for 2 years. She would often fondly reminisce about working alongside her
siblings, nieces, and nephew at the dry cleaners. She also often shared the memory of
having to recite the proper spelling of Natchitoches before being allowed to buy sweets
off the cart at school; she swears she never learned to spell a word faster! In 1955 she
moved back to Hooker OK after her dad remarried and spent the majority of her life
there.
In 1963 she graduated from Hooker High School and enrolled at the Liberal School of
Cosmetology where she realized her life's passion was to help people find the best/
most beautiful versions of themselves inside and out. During her 50+ year career she
was considered one of the greatest Master Cut and Color Hair Stylists in Southwestern Kansas
and the greater panhandle area. From "behind the chair," she helped thousands of people find
confidence and overcome insecurities by offering not just amazing hair styling but also,
nonjudgmental ears always ready to listen, a shoulder to cry on, smile that melted problems
away, the most contagious laughter, and the "shirt off her back" if necessary.
In 1965 she gave birth to her only child, Marc Andrew Johnson which she considered one of
the greatest gifts of her life along with the birth of her grandchildren years later.
Her close friends and coworkers remember her as being an amazing prayer warrior with a
natural ability to lead a prayer about anything on a whim, complete with quoted scripture. She
was a beautiful soul beloved by so many, she will truly be missed.
Survivors include her son, Marc Andrew Johnson of Americus Kansas; Four
grandchildren, Phillip Thornton of Texas, Camey and Andrew Johnson of Salina
Kansas, and Spokes Johnson of Woodward Oklahoma and a long list of extended and
chosen family.
Funeral services to be announced:
Interment will be in the South Lutheran Cemetery near Hooker, Oklahoma under the
direction of Roberts Brothers Funeral Home in Hooker, Oklahoma.