Wanda JoAnn (Bloodworth) Tucker passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Idabel, Oklahoma at the age of 88. She was born on January 20, 1938, in Haworth, Oklahoma to William Jesse and Harriet Elizabeth (Findley) Bloodworth. She married the love of her life, Billy Wayne Tucker, on September 4, 1981, and they were happily married for 30 years until his passing on December 30, 2011.
Jo moved to Durant, Oklahoma in order to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she graduated on January 26, 1968, with her Bachelors, and then again on July 30, 1971, with her Master of Education Degree. She taught French, Spanish, German and English at Durant High School and became a lifelong friend with fellow teacher Carolyn Rushing.
After retirement, she became a foster parent – more 100 children were cared for at some point – she adopted four of her foster children. Jo traveled all over the United States and Europe, taking her language students for tours of Europe multiple times. She was a faithful member of Silo Baptist Church; she taught Sunday School classes for most of her adult life. She was a dedicated student of the Bible for her whole adult life.
Left behind to honor Jo’s legacy are her children: daughter, Stephanie Sharon Freeman, daughter, Leslie Michelle (Freeman) McGovern, son ,Dakota Tucker, son, Jonathan Tucker, son, Jay Milo Andrew Tucker, son, Michael Tucker, and daughter, Tina Tucker Hearn. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and a few great-great-grandchildren.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents, William and Harriet Bloodworth; her husband, Billy Tucker; her son, Kelley Greg Freeman; and all of her siblings; Mary Elizabeth Yokum, Lola Christine Finley, Soloman Rayford Bloodworth, Monroe Bloodworth, Geneva May Finney, Myles Wesley Bloodworth, Jesse Wymer Bloodworth, and Jay Bloodworth.
Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11 a.m., at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Armstrong, Oklahoma, with Pastor Ray Earley officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Quinlin, Heith Hill, Mike McGovern, Bronson Freeman, Jay Tucker, Cameron Brown, Troyce Hill, and Michael Hill.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com