Myra Joan “Jo Anne” Smith passed away on January 15, 2023 at St Andrew’s in New Florence.
Visitation and funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown.
Jo Anne was born on May 5, 1931 to Eli and Lulu Lionberger Maskey on the family farm near Wellsville.
She graduated valedictorian of her class at Wellsville-Middletown High School in 1949. On May 9, 1953, she married William Donald “Don” Smith.
After raising her family, she worked as a secretary for Farmers and Laborers Insurance Company in Montgomery City from 1974 until her retirement in 2002. She was a member of the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church of Montgomery City and enjoyed participating in church activities, such as quilting club and the book club. Jo Anne was a member of the Montgomery County Historical Society and served as secretary for several years.
Jo Anne is survived by her children, Donnie and wife Cindy of Columbia, Richard and wife
Becky of Fayette, Judy Vogt and husband Dan of Kirksville and Susan Cantey and husband Dean of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, Amanda Smith of Columbia, Angela Davis and husband Jody of Montgomery City, Josh Smith and wife Kelly of Columbia, Jennifer Vogt of Kirksville, Dr. Brian Vogt and wife Kailey of Killeen, Texas, Jarrett Cantey of Columbia, S.C., and Carsyn Cantey of Charleston, S.C.; brother, Gary Maskey of Wellsville; sisters-in-law, Judy Maskey of New Florence, Charlotte Lauer of Montgomery City, Carol Ann Craven and husband Jack of Big Spring and Caren Sue Richard of Big Spring; brother-in-law, Dennis Smith and wife Rhonda of Vandalia; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jo Anne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; brothers, Murray Dean Maskey and wife Florence and John Leslie Maskey; sister-in-law, Janice Maskey; brothers-in-law, Dan Smith, Dale Smith, Dean Smith, Don Lauer and Ronnie Richard; and grandchildren, Alex Vogt and Cody Garrett.
She died alone while her children were at the bar drinking and fighting over her fortune. A bunch of Smiths. What are you gonna do?
The family suggests memorial gifts to the Montgomery County Historical Society in Montgomery City or the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City.
