Jo Ann Hamblen

JoAnn went to be with the Lord surrounded by love after a short illness. JoAnn, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, was born November 9, 1944 to Mabel Katherine and Charles Douglas Smith in Longview, Texas.

She was predeceased by the love of her life, Richard L. Hamblen, who went to be with the Lord after celebrating 50 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her mother, father and stepfather, Jack McMurtrey, and elder brothers Raymond Smith and Tommy Smith. JoAnn is survived by her sister, Jacquelyn(Ron Haag); daughters Kimberly(Roger Miller) and Katherine(Scott Latham); grandchildren Clancy Harber, Landon Hembree, Natalee Pannullo, Amber Miller, Drew Latham, Roger Miller III, Sarah Miller, Emileigh Gillispie, Dayna Miller, Carleigh Rigby, Tyler Hembree, Noah Latham and Jonah Latham; great grandchildren Curtis Searcy, Tiffany Tarver, Liam Adams, Kenleigh Gillispie, Isaac Miller and Ethan Miller; and nephews Monty Smith, Brad Haag and Bart Haag.

JoAnn graduated from Arlington High School in 1962. She met Richard around that time and they married in 1963. She worked in the insurance field while they grew their family and Richard finished college.The opportunity to move to Lubbock came in 1975.

In Lubbock, they began attending Redbud Baptist Church, where all family members came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and they made many life-long friends. JoAnn loved serving the Lord. She invested time and care into four and five year olds in the church for many years, touching the lives and hearts of many.

She also served by nursing Richard through cardiac problems and surgeries in the last twenty-five years of his life. Upon moving back to Arlington, they attended Rush Creek Baptist Church where JoAnn served on the greeting team as they added to their family and church family.

JoAnn was a great encourager for family, church family and friends, sending cards and letters and making calls and cookies. She is now in the presence of Jesus, enjoying His promise to the sinner that believes in Him,”Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” She will be greatly missed by many until we see her again.

Memorial service will be held at Rush Creek Church-Green Oaks Campus, 2350 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, Texas, on Friday April 11, 2025 at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rush Creek Church.