Jo Ann Jenks

Jo Ann Jenks was born on August 27, 1936, in Post, Texas to Ferri Enrico Maddox and Angie Bell Lindsey Maddox. She entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus on April 21, 2026, in Tulsa. Jo Ann grew up on a farm in West Texas, that she loved so much. Later, the family moved to Houston, where Jo Ann was baptized at West 14th Baptist Church on February 20, 1949. She attended Reagan High School, where she was voted among the top five most beautiful Redcoats her senior year. She began her career at Houston Lighting and Power in accounting and became involved with the Houston Trail Ride, Parade, and Rodeo events. On July 2, 1956, she married her first love, Roger Lee Kerr, at West 14th Baptist Church. Together they built a loving home and raised their two children, Terri Louise Kerr and Roger Wayne Kerr. Jo Ann worked for many years at Houston Highway Credit Union, eventually serving in a vice president role, where she was respected and loved by coworkers and members alike. Jo Ann and Roger were confirmed together at Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1973 and their walk with God grew throughout their marriage of 56 years. In 2004, they moved to Brenham, where they became active members of The Cowboy Church and enjoyed many happy years together. After Roger’s passing in 2013, Jo Ann moved to Broken Arrow in 2015. She became very involved at Abiding Harvest Church, serving on prayer teams, supporting single mothers, and helping wherever needed. In 2016, she met widower Gary Jenks through church ministry, and their friendship grew into love. They were married on January 18, 2019, and for seven joyful years Gary and JoAnn had a wonderful life together traveling and JoAnn got to see some places that were still on her dream list. They gave many of their moments together visiting people in hospitals, in their homes and nursing homes to pray for them and bring encouragement. At Abiding Harvest and then The Bridge Church, they were involved in many ministries and shared their faith in Jesus. JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents Ferri and Angie Maddox, Brother James Russell Maddox, Husband Roger Lee Kerr. JoAnn is survived by Husband Gary Jenks; Daughter Terri Kerr Dietrich and Husband David of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Son Roger Wayne Kerr and Wife Kelley and her Granddaughters Elliott and Emory Kerr of Fulshear, Texas, Spiritual Granddaughter Veronica Chapa of Houston, Texas and numerous Emerge Granddaughters. She is also survived by her bonus Jenks family - Step Children and Grandchildren: Eric and Shaunna Jenks and children Eli, Owen, Jacob and Jedediah of Vancouver, WA; Jennifer and Joshua Vergarg and children Rachel, Ari, Naomi, Sarah and Simon of Heyworth, IL; Elena and Kenny Alexander and children Alison Rose and Colton of Mounds, OK; Brendan Jenks and children Sierra Belle, Timothy and Maddie of Decatur, IL. Jo Ann will be remembered for her deep faith, servant’s heart, love for family, and the kindness and encouragement she shared with everyone around her. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be directed in honor of JoAnn to Emerge Global, the ministry she loved and served so well: 1163 S Aspen Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 www.emergehopeandhelp.org

Tributes

Jo Ann Jenks

August 27, 1936 - April 21, 2026