Jo Anne Jones, of Jonesborough, passed away on August 31, 2024, at Abundant Christian Living in Johnson City, TN, after several years of declining health due to Lewy Body dementia and congestive heart failure. She was born on March 21, 1936, in Decatur, AL to John M. Caldwell III and Joella Duke Caldwell. After her parents’ divorce, her mother accepted a promotion in Nashville, TN, where Jo Anne graduated from high school and attended Vanderbilt University for a year. This experience ignited her passion for communications, leading to a lifetime of adventures as a professional in marketing and communication.

After the birth of her three daughters and a subsequent divorce, Jo Anne embarked on a career in radio advertising in Greenville, South Carolina. This led to a lifelong career with the American Red Cross as a Marketing and Communication expert in a variety of locations across the United States and globally. Jo Anne held leadership positions in Greenville, SC, Dallas, TX, Kingsport, TN, Washington, DC, and with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces from its European HQ in Germany. Her work took her to most Western European countries and special assignments in Turkey and Iraq.

Upon returning to the United States after several years abroad, Jo Anne’s skills as both a communicator and disaster manager led her to serve on many major U.S. disaster operations over the next twenty years, including Hurricane Katrina and the response to the 9/11 attacks in New York and beyond. She not only developed several training and procedural manuals but was also a highly sought-after trainer of other disaster workers and leaders. Following her official retirement from the Red Cross, she continued to work on temporary disaster assignments with both the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) into her late 70s.

After retiring to Northeast Tennessee, Jo Anne became an active volunteer with several organizations, including the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, the Newcomers Club, and the Storytelling Resource Place. She was an avid reader, bridge club member, photographer, and publicist for several organizations. She was also an advocate for many humanitarian causes.

As a highly respected mentor and leader, Jo Anne leaves behind hundreds of friends locally and across the country who mourn her passing. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Whitmore of Nashville, and three daughters: Edith Jeffrey (Robert) of Lewisville TX, Rachel Freeney of Greenville, SC, and Dawn Burke of Boise, ID, as well as a grandson. Additionally, she leaves behind two half-sisters, a half-brother, and a favorite niece, Suzanne Brocato with her husband and children.

At her request, there will be no formal service. Locally, her friends are invited to gather and share memories on September 24 at 5:00 - 6:00 at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. A Zoom memorial gathering is being planned for her Red Cross friends. Memorial gifts to honor her life may be sent to the American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/donate/memorial-donations.html/