Jo Claire Compton Callison peacefully passed from this life on May 18, 2024 in Brownwood, TX. She was born on May 5, 1926 to Benjamin Leroy and Rachel Flora Truefitt Compton on their family farm in Grafton, West Virginia, the second of six children.
Education was important to her; she graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and from Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia at the age of nineteen having earned her degree in education. She had her master’s degree from the University of West Virginia by the age of twenty-one after marrying her partner for life, John (“Mick”) Callison. Their marriage lasted for sixty-seven years.
After graduation, and looking for adventure, they chose to go West to teach Navaho children first at Fort Wingate, New Mexico and then to the Navajo Reservation in Aneth, Utah. They returned to West Virginia where their first child, Susan Jo, was born and then moved back West to Durango, Colorado where their sons, John Michael and Russell Leroy were born. A move to Houston was next, then San Antonio, and finally, Eldorado, Texas in 1974. Jo taught school in each place and was awarded the title of Master Teacher from the state of Texas while teaching in Eldorado. She retired from teaching in 1989 and continued to teach and tutor privately. Eldorado was a place they both treasured.
Faith was in integral part of the life of Jo Callison. She was active in every church in which she was a part. Sunday School teacher, VBS volunteer, committee member, whatever was needed she was there to offer a warm smile and a helping hand. Her Christian love and influence reached out wherever she was present and will continue long after she’s gone.
Golf, gardening, and fishing were some of her favorite pasttimes. People in Eldorado would marvel at her beautiful flowers. She could be found often at the golf course with her golf partner, Mick, enjoying a great game of golf!
Family was her greatest joy. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, her brothers Edward, Neil and Ray Compton, and her sister, Mary Compton Henderson. She is survived by her brother Tom Compton, and her three children, Susan Jo Callison Adams, John Michael Callison, and Russell Leroy Callison. She is also blessed with three grandchildren, Steven Eugene Stark, John Clifton Stark, and Chase Kameron Callison, and five great-grandchildren, Severin Eugene Stark, Roslyn Cecilia Stark, Wolfgang Emerson Stark, Evelyn Callison Stark, and Beckham Kade Callison.
Graveside services will be held at Eldorado Cemetery on May 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The service will be an informal gathering of family and friends sharing memories of Jo. Please come to honor this woman who graced the earth for ninety-eight years and made it a better place! Memorials may be made in her memory to First Baptist Church, Eldorado, TX.
