Jo Darling

Patricia Jo Johnson Darling, age 87 of Oklahoma City, passed away peacefully March 30, 2020. Jo was born on September 17, 1932 in Elgin, Oklahoma to Minnie Hazel Berkley and Elmore George Hewes. She was the youngest of four siblings. She graduated Elgin High School in 1949 at the age of 16. She attended Cameron University and then worked in the banking industry. Jo met her first husband, Joseph Dyer Johnson, on a double date and the two married in Lawton, Oklahoma late 1952. Jo and Joe were blessed with three children; Joe David in 1954, Keith Dyer in 1956 and, after the boys told their parents they wanted a sister, Kelly Jane in 1964.Jo was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She liked to attend as many of their activities as she could. She was like a mother to many of her children's friends, always welcoming them with a meal or words of wisdom – earning her the title of Mama Jo within the community. She donated countless hours to the community church, hospital, and local school. She was always there to contribute to, and enrich the lives of, those around her.Jo had a zest for life. She loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She loved to travel and visited many countries, one of her favorites being an African Safari. She did not take no for an answer. If someone said she couldn't achieve something, she would purse her lips and prove them wrong.After Joe passed away in 1998, Jo found a second chance at love when she met Edmund Darling of Mabank, Texas during her grand-nephew's wedding in 2005. Jo and Ed married six months later and lived happily for the last 15 years. Jo was predeceased by her parents and three siblings: Waneta Kindblade, Radford Hewes and Bill Hewes and their spouses; her husband of 33 years, Joe D. Johnson and son, Keith D. Johnson and many other extended family members who filled her life with love and joy.Jo is survived by her husband, Edmund Darling of the home; two children, Joe David Johnson and Kelly Jane Gish and husband, Casey; daughter-in-law, Janet Willsey Johnson; nine grandchildren, Sheridan Nelson and husband, Brett; Matthew Johnson, Andrew Johnson and wife, Kendra; Justin Gish, Kyle Gish, Grant Gish and Braxtn Gish; Jamie Moore and Jon Stovall; two great grandchildren, Kylie Gish and Mavrik Gish. She is also survived by numerous relatives from Tucson, Arizona, Kemp, Texas, Pauls Valley, Elgin and Norman, Oklahoma who she loved dearly. A public Celebration of Jo's life will be held at a later date.