Jo Anne Durkee Ingram, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 24, 2024. In the last month of her incredible life, Jo Anne celebrated her 91st birthday and 71st wedding anniversary with the love of her life, Millard Kay Ingram.

Jo Anne was born October 26, 1933, in Norman, OK to Elbert Howard Durkee and Neoma "Jo" Gregg. She was the oldest of two children, her brother Pat was born a year later. Her father was a civil engineer for Cleveland County and mother raised their children and managed the household.

Jo Anne graduated from Norman High School in 1951. She excelled in mathematics and literature while also a cheerleader and Norman High School Homecoming Queen. After graduation, she attended The University of Oklahoma, pledging Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Spring her freshman year, Millard saw her at a college party, immediately requesting a friend to set him up with Jo Anne on a blind date. It was love at first sight for Millard. On November 21, 1953, Millard and Jo Anne were married. Millard earned his B.S. in Business Administration in the spring of 1954.

Upon graduation, due to his service commitment in the U.S. Army, Millard and Jo Anne were stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana followed by Fort Eustis in Williamsburg, VA, the birthplace of their first born, Katherine Anne.

Upon leaving the military, Millard took a position with Daubes Department Store in Ardmore, OK. In January 1959, they welcomed their daughter, Lisa Kay. Throughout their marriage, Jo Anne handled all financial bookkeeping duties for the household and Millard's numerous entrepreneurial endeavors. Millard and Jo Anne spent 63 years in Ardmore, developing lifelong friendships, strong ties to the Ardmore community through volunteer service until November 2019 when their health required a move to Dallas, TX to be close to family.

Jo Anne's true passions in life, outside her family and friends, gave her immense joy. Her love of reading developed in childhood, a book never far from her. Once her children were in bed sleeping, she would read late into the midnight hours. With no disruptions, silence golden to absorb the written word was one of her happy places. Her extensive vocabulary was a result of her decades of reading, one not always loved by her girls. Improper grammar was kindly corrected much to the eye rolls of Kathy and Lisa. Although challenging, her vocabulary made advanced crossword puzzles and brain teasers a successful daily routine.

Once the girls started school, she learned the game of bridge. This complex game of numbers and suits was right up her alley. She was a quick study, building a reputation as one of the best players in Ardmore. Jo Anne and her weekly foursome took their bridge seriously, no chit chat, no lunch breaks. She religiously played her beloved game of bridge one day a week for nearly 50 years until her health no longer enabled her to play.

From the moment Millard and Jo Anne had their first dance in college, they were a sight to see on the dance floor. Dancing cheek to cheek or jitterbugging the night away, they eagerly took advantage of every song played in their youth as well as into their 70s. Jo Anne loved music, knowing the lyrics to all songs, never missing a word. In the last five years, vocalists visiting her nursing facility would approach her afterwards commenting how impressed they were she knew all the words. She projected a beautiful smile that spoke volumes, no words needed.

Jo Anne and Millard faithfully worshipped at St Philips Episcopal Church in Ardmore, OK for more than 40 years. They volunteered in various capacities where needed to promote community within their parish, feeling a call to serve. Every Sunday, they attended early services, sitting in the same row up front on the center aisle. Jo Anne and Millard were fixtures in the St Philips community, devoted to their Lord Jesus Christ.

Jo Anne is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Pat E. Durkee, son-in-law Neal Stauffer and great granddaughter Bailey Sommerville.

Jo Anne is survived by her soulmate, the love of her life of 73 years, Millard Kay Ingram; her two daughters, Katherine Anne Stauffer, Lisa Ingram Elrod (David); six grandchildren, Shelby Bennett (Hank), Jo Anna Stauffer, Katie Stauffer, Andrew Elrod, Jordan Elrod, and Trevor Elrod; and two great grandchildren, Riley Sommerville, Collins Bennett.

The family would like to thank the Memory Care Staff at Juliette Fowler Communities for their loving care and devotion, providing Jo Anne happiness and fun in her day to day these last two years.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Juliette Fowler Foundation at https:// fowlercommunities.org, cureSMA at https://www.curesma.org, or charity of your choice.