Prolific and talented artist and much beloved art teacher Jo Ann Hawkins Harris, 82, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. F uneral services will be held at Marietta Funeral Home on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00pm with Pastor Randy Brooks officiating. Burial will follow on Monday, November 14 at 1:00pm CST at Highway Church of God Cemetery in Fyffe, AL.

Born in Tenbroeck, Alabama on March 30, 1934 to Arthur and Dorothy Goggans Hawkins, she grew up in Gadsden, Alabama and attended Gadsden High School. She was the adored wife of Chalmer "Chick" Harris  (deceased) for 62 great years and, the wonderful mother of Harper Harris, Renee Harris Sparks, Donna Harris Slaughter, and Todd Harris. She was very proud of her grandchildren, Amanda Harris Greeson, Nathan Harris (deceased), Natalie Harris Eutermoser, Nicole Harris and Tristan and Trevor Harris as well as great grandchildren Isabelle, Gabrielle, and Titus Greeson. Her brother, Hoyt Devore Hawkins, resides in Atalla, Alabama.

Early in her career she was a hairdresser, mainly working in a hair salon in the basement of her home. Having had a love of drawing since her early childhood, she knew she was destined to be an artist.  Her first paintings were done while in high school at the encouragement of an art teacher who, thankfully, saw her potential and encouraged her to continue. As her skills progressed, Jo Ann began to take lessons and gradually began teaching oil and acrylic painting herself. In over 30 years of classes, she taught several hundred adult students the lifelong joy of painting. She also painted numerous paintings herself, selling many of them at various art and craft shows. She was always happiest when she was working at her easel.

She will be remembered for her delicious cooking, for making people laugh with her delight in telling jokes, for generously sharing her love of life, and for making her husband and family very happy and very proud of her. Somewhere in heaven, God just welcomed another great artist. And our dad was reunited with the love of his life.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1-3pm prior to the service at Marietta Funeral Home. For online condolences, please visit www.mariettafuneralhome.org.