Jo Ann Martin

Jo Ann Martin passed away on February 19, 2026. Born on February 10, 1936, she lived a life defined by resilience, generosity, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. Jo Ann’s home was a place of warmth and welcome. She was known for her cooking. Whether coming for a family meal or just a visit, no one ever left hungry. Anything she cooked was guaranteed to be the very best version of it you had ever tasted. Whether it was a simple meal or a holiday feast, her food brought comfort and joy to those she loved. Jo Ann had many talents. She loved working in her garden, where beans were snapped on the porch and corn was shucked fresh from the stalk. She enjoyed preserving food for her family, perfecting recipes for pickles, strawberry jam, and apple butter, to name just a few. She also enjoyed growing African violets indoors and they thrived under her care. Jo Ann delighted in having photographs developed into slides and gathering family to project treasured memories onto the wall—long before digital albums existed. She was skilled with a needle and thread, teaching quilting to the next generation and creating keepsakes that will be cherished for years to come. Jo Ann was also a teacher in everyday life. She passed down practical skills—from cooking omelets to preparing treasured family recipes—and offered wisdom, encouragement, and steady counsel. Many found in her a listening ear and thoughtful guidance that left them feeling heard and supported. Her own story reflected determination and grit. Growing up on her father’s farm at the end of the Great Depression, she experienced hardship early in life, including the loss of her mother as a child. She learned the value of hard work, sometimes leaving school to help with demanding farm tasks. She later left the farm in Norwood and created her own path, moving to Muskogee to live with her sister. It was there, while riding her bicycle, that she caught the eye of the man who would become her husband, Hobert Martin. Jo Ann and Hobert shared a devoted partnership. Though traditional in many ways, Jo Ann was determined that her children would have opportunities she did not, including the choice to pursue higher education. She worked faithfully throughout her life to help make those opportunities possible—at Brockway Glass, as a Southwestern Bell telephone operator, and later as a cafeteria cook for Ft. Gibson Public Schools. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hobert Martin; her father, Ona Hilger; her mother, Edith (Sanders) Hilger; her brothers, Don, Johnny, Sam, and Charles Hilger; her sisters, Velma Shimel, Norma Bartlett, Vesta Perkins, and Clara Todd; her grandson, Blaine Martin; and her great-grandson, Lathan Michael Holuby. Jo Ann is survived by her son, Ben Martin and wife Linda of Fort Gibson; her son, Chester Martin of Park Hill; and her daughter, Susan VanZant of Fort Gibson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lana Holuby and husband Michael of Muskogee; Dawn Travis and husband Greg of Duncan; Jenna Roberson and husband Dustin of Yukon; Cliff Psomas and wife Kristin of Fort Gibson; and Jon Psomas and wife Desiree of Greeley, Colorado; her sisters, Mary Jane Goad of Muskogee and Martha Brown of Fort Gibson; her brother, James Hilger of Jenks; and eight great-grandchildren. Viewing will be held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Fort Gibson Citizens Cemetery on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Butch Cook officiating. Jo Ann Martin will be remembered as strong, spunky, hardworking, and deeply loving—a woman who left a lasting example of perseverance, generosity, and devotion to family. The family of Jo Ann Martin has entrusted her care, service and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.

Jo Ann Martin

February 10, 1936 - February 19, 2026