Jo Ann Gatlin Starkey, of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away at home with her family on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the age of 83. She was born on August 30, 1936, in Independence, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Hollister Gatlin and Bernice Bankston Gatlin.
Jo Ann is survived by her daughters, Donnie Elam and husband Jimmy, and Vickie Abels; grandchildren, Shelly Elam, Kelly Elam and wife Renee, and Ashley & Whitney Abels; great grandchildren, Caysen Hood, Benjamin Elam, and Payton Lewis; brother, Wallace Gatlin and wife Elvadee; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Lee Oscar Starkey; and siblings, James Louis Gatlin, Willis McArthur "Mack" Gatlin, and Margaret Herring.
Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd Hammond, Louisiana 70401, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.
A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11:00 am.
Interment will follow at Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery in Pumpkin Center, Louisiana.
An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.
