Jo Garrett, age 90, of Kinmundy passed away on February 10, 2026, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Jo was born on June 30, 1935, in Patoka, the daughter of Joseph and Ormell (Hopkins) Simcox. On August 29, 1956, she married Carroll Mac Garrett and he survives. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.
In addition to her husband, Mac, she is survived by her children, Jeff Garrett, Ann Viviano and husband Bill, Jay Garrett and wife Stephanie, and her cat Lucy.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Nancy Anderson.
Jo was a 1953 graduate of Patoka High School, where she and her sister penned the school fight song which is still used today. Soon after Jo and Mac were married, they built their forever home in rural Kinmundy. She was proud to be a dairy farmer’s wife and devoted her life to making their house a home. She provided love, care, guidance and home-cooked meals to all her family and friends. She loved sharing time and wisdom with her many nieces and nephews and embraced the challenge of keeping Cade and Chuck on a short leash. She was known as Aunt Jo to a multitude of people over the years. With a heart as big as Texas, she touched so many lives. Jo taught her children to be caring and nurturing by helping them raise a wide variety of critters, both wild and domestic. She was a champion marbles player and an avid basketball fan. She made the best pies and quail gravy. She attended Wesley United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing hymns and the warm fellowship of friends.
A private graveside service will be held in Doolen Cemetery in Kinmundy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and can be received at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com