Evelyn Jo Hill's Obituary
Evelyn Jo Hill, born October 13, 1929 in Granite, Oklahoma, died at 91 in her home on November 24. She was the eldest daughter of Roy Thacker and Mary (Askins) Thacker. In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her 5 sisters: Patsy Thacker, Nita Williams, Glenna Conley, Twala Kelly, and Janet Hudelson. Jo married her high school sweetheart, Charles E. Hill III, on October 2, 1948. They were married for 68 years, until Charles’ death in 2016. They are survived by their 3 children: Steve Hill, Sandy Hill, Lori Robnett and her husband Frank, in addition to one granddaughter: Abbey Jo Robnett Hodson and her husband, Bryan. Jo is also survived by many loving relatives; cousins and 9 nieces and nephews. Some of their descriptions of Jo include: beautiful, gracious, an anchor, a shining light, and sweet, classy, wise, and strong.
Besides being a housewife in Tulsa, Jo had a career as a bookkeeper at a bank, and then worked many years for the Tulsa Petroleum Club as their lead bookkeeper. When she retired, she was the secretary for the church she had attended for 60 years, Crosstown Church of Christ (previously Eastside). At her church, she was the coordinator of the preschool area and worked in their food pantry and clothes closet for neighbors in need. She also volunteered with the Red Cross to provide support for families coming to Tulsa after Hurricane Katrina. For years Jo knitted baby blankets for every newborn in her church family. A practice that she continued until her illness took her strength away.
Family meant everything to Jo. Until their deaths, the family would spend every holiday at her parents’ home. Her children have many wonderful memories of making the drive to Oklahoma City to sleep on “pallets” with all their cousins. Sometimes up to 20 adults and children would pile into the small home to celebrate holidays. Jo didn’t allow her family to miss a family gathering.
In her spare time, when her children were young; she was involved in their school classrooms and was a Scout Troop Leader.
After retiring a second time, Jo volunteered at schools supporting children in need. She took up sailing with a neighbor, took painting classes, and spent hours making her gardens bloom and decorating her beautiful home.
Jo had pre-planned every detail of a traditional service, however before her death she expressed her wish that there be no gathering due to the risk of spreading COVID. Jo always put other needs first, and up until the day she passed she was concerned about her family’s needs.
In lieu of flowers, Jo asked those who would like to honor her memory donate to Hope Harbor: PO BOX 1947, Claremore, OK 74018. Their mission is to help children and families affected by trauma by giving them the tools and support they need to move forward in life.
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