SMITH, Jo Ann (Ray), age 90, of Mooresville, passed away, December 20, 2021. Jo Ann was born in Shelbyville Indiana in 1931 to Katherine (Klose) and Wilbur Ray. Jo Ann was one of 9 children, 7 of which, including her twin brother have predeceased her. She was a graduate of Shelbyville High School in 1949. Jo Ann moved to North Hollywood, California after graduation, where she worked at an ice cream shop, serving celebrities like Doris Day. She then moved back to Indiana where she met husband, Paul “Short” Harry Smith. Jo Ann was an elevator operator at the Wm. H. Block Store in downtown Indianapolis where Short proposed on Christmas Eve 1952 when Jo Ann stopped the elevator between the first and second floor. They were married in March of 1953. Jo Ann has lived in the Mooresville area for more than 66 years and is a member of St. Thomas More parish. She volunteered for St. Francis Hospital in Mooresville for more than 17 years. She drove Mooresville School Bus #13 for 15 years and was the first school bus driver trainer in the Mooresville Transportation system. Jo Ann was also instrumental in advocating for school bus drivers to be included in PERF Benefits so that they could receive better benefits. Jo Ann drove trucks, tractors and implements on the family farm near Five Points. She managed the family farm well into her eighties. Jo Ann thoroughly enjoyed home improvement projects and redesigning spaces. Her husband and her family were her greatest loves. She is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Paul “Short” Harry Smith of Mooresville. She is survived by their five children: Jeff (Mary) Smith, Beth Pruitt, Paula (John) Walker, Troy Smith, and Rebecca (Tim) Jones. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Jay Westenhofer, Carrie McMillan, Jessica Smith, Adam Pruitt, Kyle Smith, Cody Burnette, Olivia Jones, and Tim Jones III; and her four great-grandchildren: Vivian Westenhofer, Oaken Pruitt, Carter Burnette, and Sterling Pruitt.

Family and friends may show their love and support from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, December 23th and from 9 to 10 am on Friday, December 24th at Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville. A celebration of life service will be held at 10 am on Friday, December 24th following visitation at the funeral home. Jo Ann will be laid to rest at White Lick Cemetery in Mooresville.

To send a condolence to the family or to share a story about Jo Ann, please visit: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com