Jo Ann (Mooney) Dickerson

Jo Ann (Mooney) Dickerson, 78, of Kent, Ohio, passed away on August 23, 2024. Jo Ann was born in Kent on April 11, 1946.

Known as a very loving and involved “Grammy,” Jo Ann dedicated her life first-and-foremost to her family. She was a devoted wife of 54 years to Brad Dickerson, who preceded her in death last year, and mother to their four children Susan (Steve) Mileski of Kent, Cindy (Manny) Garcia of Dallas, Mary Ann (Prem) Akkaraju of Los Angeles and Bill (Adrienne) Dickerson of Kent. She was also a loving grandma to her nine grandchildren: Jack, Steven, Rachel, Kourtney, Evelyn, Andre, Mia, Kieran, and Orion. Additionally, she is survived by her beloved and dedicated sister Ann Marie Durst of Kent and brothers Bob and Michael Mooney.

After graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1964, Jo Ann’s educational journey continued at Kent State University where she obtained both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

Jo Ann went on to have a meaningful career in education where, through her work as a teacher and guidance counselor in Ravenna City Schools and later guidance counselor at Woodridge High School, she touched numerous lives with her compassionate heart and unrelenting work ethic.

Raised Catholic, Jo Ann attended Saint Patrick’s Church and School of Kent and later became a member of The United Methodist Church of Kent where she was a Sunday School teacher and active volunteer.

Next to her grandchildren, Jo Ann’s great passion in life was musical theater. She spent her early years studying at the Bill Franklin School of Dance. Later, she participated in the theater program at Roosevelt High School, most notably in her senior production of “Bye Bye Birdie”. She continued to sing in the United Methodist Church choir and as a student of Helen Welch with whom she had the pleasure of performing as an opening number.

After retiring from education, Jo Ann participated in social clubs such as PEO, frequently traveled to see her grandchildren and enjoyed designing and creating greeting cards, knitting and reading.

The family would like to thank Jo Ann’s community of lifelong friends – particularly the women who showed up for Jo Ann during the ten years she served as tireless caretaker to Brad, as well as during her own illness. The family would also like to thank the caregivers at Mulberry Gardens, FirstLight Home Care and Traditions Health Hospice.

Grammy, we will hold the memories near of your cozy and immaculate home filled with the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon bread and cut-out cookies, as well as your elaborate Christmases, your stamping room, and the thought and detail you put into numerous gifts and crafts you so lovingly shared with family and friends. We were nurtured by you. Your love of children, particularly of rocking, singing and reading to babies, gave us all a head start and allowed us to pass down a kindness and love and presence that originated with you.

A memorial service will be held on November 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main St. Kent, OH. 44240. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.