Jo Ann Gilbert Marquart, 70, passed away on November 2, 2024, in Vernon, Texas.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday November 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Sullivan Funeral Home chapel. Toby Castleberry officiating. Burial will follow at Quanah Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Jo Ann was born in Vernon, Texas, on August 28, 1954, to Robert Lee and Louise Woosley Gilbert. She grew up in Odell, Texas and attended schools in Odell and Chillicothe, Texas. She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1972. Following graduation, she went to Vernon Regional Junior College and received her associates degree.

While working full-time and raising her three daughters, she went back to school and received her bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University. Afterward, she continued on to the University of Oklahoma where she graduated with a Master of Social Work in 1996.

Throughout her life, Jo Ann enjoyed working with the public. She started working at Vernon Regional Junior College. Then she worked at Chillicothe Clinic. Afterwards, she wanted to pursue her love for writing and began working for Chillicothe Valley News/Vernon Daily Record. Next, she spent numerous years at Hardeman Grain and Seed. After she received her master's, she began to pursue her true passion of working with youth. She started at North Texas State Hospital in the Adolescent Forensic Unit, and finished her career where she started, as a counselor for Vernon College.

Jo Ann's advocacy was to help children and young families. She served on many boards during her lifetime, including chairperson for the Hardeman County Child Welfare Board and was a member of the board of trustees for the Helen Farabee Regional MHMR centers.

Jo Ann also spent her time volunteering for community service. She served on several boards, including Board of Directors for Chillicothe Hospital Authority; Child Advocates, Inc.; 4-H leader for 11 years; and Girl Scout leader. She wrote many grants for the Odell Volunteer Fire Department and Chillicothe Volunteer Fire Department. She was Volunteer of the Year in 2004 for Chillicothe Volunteer Fire Department. She was also a past Sunday School teacher for Wilbarger Street Church of Christ.

Jo Ann was a working mom that dedicated her life to her three daughters, Jennifer Trufan, Cara Lane, and Jacy Nunnery. She loved her family very much, and her goal was to raise three strong, independent daughters. Her proudest moments were all three of her daughters receiving an education and watching them raise their families. Jo Ann had a passion for caring for her yard. She loved decorating for Christmas and seeing all the community's children in costumes during Halloween. She loved reading and spending time with her family and friends. Jo Ann was a generous person as well, and she was always willing to help someone in need.

Jo Ann is survived by her three daughters, Jennifer Trufan, and husband Joey, of Chillicothe, Texas; Cara Lane, and husband Brandon, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Jacy Nunnery, and husband Barry, of Iowa Park, Texas; as well as their father, Gary Marquart of Wichita, Kansas. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and their spouses: Bethany and Spencer Soto of Wichita Falls; Matthew Trufan of Wichita Falls; Jacob and Leeann Trufan of Rosenburg; Josh Trufan of Chillicothe; Brooklyn and Breeli Lane of Wichita Falls; and Caddo and Dally Nunnery of Iowa Park. Jo Ann also had one great grandchild, Hali Jo Soto of Wichita Falls. Also surviving is one brother, Billy, and his wife, Cindy, of Denton. She also has several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins as well.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents Robert Lee Gilbert and Louise Woosley Gilbert; her sister, Linda Jean Pilcher; her brother, Charles Allen (Chuck) Gilbert; and grandson, Jacob Lane, along with both of her paternal and maternal grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorials can be made to Vernon College General Scholarship Fund or Chillicothe Ex-Student Association Scholarship Fund.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 12:00 until service begins at Sullivan Funeral Home.