JoAnn Pritchard

Betty JoAnn French Pritchard, 93, of Tuxedo, Texas passed away at her daughter's home in Abilene on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Visitation was at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025 at Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home. Funeral service followed at 11:00 am in the Kinney-Underwood Funeral Chapel. Her grandson Billy Boone II officiated. Burial was in the Tuxedo Fairview Cemetery. 
JoAnn was born July 21, 1931 in Tuxedo, Texas to J. Karal French and Stratha Ann Williams French. She graduated from Hamlin High School in 1948 and went on to Hardin Simmons to receive a Degree in Education. She worked almost 30 years in the Stamford school system retiring in 1996. She continued to serve as a substitute teacher when needed. However JoAnn never stopped teaching and sharing her knowledge of Math and Science whenever it was needed. She lived her lifetime in Jones County. She served on the board of the Tuxedo Cemetery Association. JoAnn also was honored to be the Texas Cowboy Reunion Hostess in 1972. 
She married Bill Pritchard on June 18, 1948 in Hamlin and they made their home in Tuxedo. Bill farmed and she taught school while raising two children Gregg and Cathy. JoAnn was a source of love, wisdom, and kindness in her family's lives, always offering a warm smile and open arms to everyone she met. 
Her legacy of strength and compassion will live on in our hearts. Lovingly known as "Mama Jo", her family will forever cherish the memories shared with her. While mourning her loss, we also celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the love she gave so freely. 
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother and sister-in-law Jimmy and Peggy French. 
Family left to cherish her memory are her son Gregg and Diane Pritchard of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY; Daughter Cathy Pritchard Boone of Abilene; Grandchildren Justin Pritchard and Katie of Wakefield, MA, Grant Pritchard and Lindsay of Westport, CT; Billy Boone II and Megan of Wolfforth, TX, Carol Ann Barnard and Drew of Munday, TX; Great-grandchildren Ellie, Brendan, Norah, Jack, Ivy and Beau Pritchard, Ruby and Norah Boone, and Clara and Corra Barnard; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 
Rest in peace, Mama Jo. You are deeply loved and will be dearly missed. 
Memorials may be made in her name to the Tuxedo Cemetery Association; 1408 Landon St.; Stamford, Texas 79553.