Jo Dunavant, age 81, was born on May 19th, 1942 and passed peacefully, at home on August 8th, 2023. She is survived by her loving husband, Bob Dunavant and son, Jason; her brother Bodie Lankford, sister- in-law, Patsy, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Sammy “Bo” Lankford and her mother Corrie Norman Lankford of Haile, Louisiana.

Jo was a graduate of Linville High School where she excelled in business as well as home economics. In 1961, at the age of 18, she began work at Louisiana Training Institute (LTI) as Administrative Assistant to then Superintendent Red Swanson. She remained in the same capacity for the Louisiana Dept of Corrections until her retirement in 1996. During her time at LTI, she fell in love with her husband Bob Dunavant, and they were married at the chapel on campus on July 21st, 1973. Their son, Jason Dunavant was born October 9th, 1975. Note: They got married at lunchtime and then they went back to work to finish the monthly payroll prior to leaving on their honeymoon.

She was an active member of Jackson Street Church of Christ where she and her husband, Bob lead the Young at Hearts Senior Group for many years. She enjoyed collecting tea pots, writing cards of encouragement, making others smile, playing the piano, cooking Sunday lunch for family, and taking naps with her husband. Note: she also liked watching the Professional Bull Riding. Her favorite rider was Chris Shivers and favorite bull was Bodacious. She loved to travel but never flew on a plane. She didn’t eat eggs but loved French toast. There is a right way and wrong way to load a dishwasher. Before she went to bed, the dishes had to be washed, clothes folded, table wiped down, and living room cleaned. She was just the Best.

Jo Dunavant loved her family, loved her friends, and loved the Lord. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life … nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Visitation will be Thursday, August 10th at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1200 Lamy Lane from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be conducted at Jackson Street Church of Christ, Monroe, on Friday, August 11th beginning at 10:00 am with a graveside service held at Liberty Cemetery, Linville, Louisiana.

Services are under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home-Monroe.
Online Condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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