Jo Ann (Peters) Hill, 85, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away on August 20, 2026. She was born June 3, 1941, in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Jack and Jewell (Dodson) Peters. Jo Ann was a devoted wife and mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, and, above all, a committed follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jo Ann's earliest years were spent on her family's farm near the small community of Roll in western Oklahoma. She grew up in a close-knit family where hard work and love for one another were simply part of everyday life. The family lived modestly, without many of the conveniences we take for granted today, but Jo Ann's childhood was rich with family, church, and the friendships of a small rural community.

When she was young, her parents committed their lives to Jesus—a decision that would shape their family for generations. They later helped establish the Nazarene church in Roll, where the family worshiped and became part of the small church community. The Christian faith Jo Ann learned as a child remained at the center of her life and influenced the way she loved her family and cared for others.

Her early education began at Crawford School. In 1951, the Peters family moved to Foss, Oklahoma, which became home for the family. She attended Foss High School before graduating from Canute High School. She carried with her many of the qualities formed during those years in western Oklahoma: humility, perseverance, and a willingness to care for others. She later attended Bethany Nazarene College and graduated from Oklahoma State University.

Jo Ann met Jimmy Hill in Clinton, Oklahoma, and the two later married and began building a life and family together. Over the years, they lived in several places, including Temple, Texas, but Stillwater, Oklahoma, became their longtime home, where they built lasting friendships and put down deep roots.

A gracious hostess and wonderful cook, she made their home a gathering place for family and friends. She hosted countless meals, holidays, celebrations, and other gatherings, taking great pleasure in bringing people together around her table and into her home. Jo Ann and Jimmy also treasured the summers they spent at their home in South Fork, Colorado, where they welcomed family and friends and created many lasting memories together.

Service to others was also an important part of her life. Over the years, she served her church in many capacities, including as church treasurer, and was active in the Gideons Auxiliary. She also participated in ministry at the county jail, quietly putting her faith into action through service to others. For many years, she and Jimmy were actively involved with Sunnybrook Christian Church and Stillwater Christian School, both of which held a special place in their lives.

She was a devoted mother to John and Julie and took great joy in seeing her family grow to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To those closest to her, Jo Ann's greatest legacy will not be found in a list of accomplishments, but in the countless ordinary ways she loved and cared for her family throughout her life.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Jimmy; her parents, Jack and Jewell; and her sisters, Rebecca June and Rosa Jane Peters.

She is survived by her children, John (Fidela) Hill of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Julie (Steve) Raney of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandchildren Allie (Cooper) Nichols of Wichita, Kansas, and Austin Raney of Memphis, Tennessee; great-grandchildren Clark and Raney Nichols; and her brothers, Scott (Mary Lynn) Peters, Jim (Karen) Peters, and Tom (Jackie) Peters; as well as many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

A memorial service celebrating Jo Ann's life will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, at Sunnybrook Christian Church, 421 E. Richmond Rd., Stillwater, Oklahoma. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sunnybrook Christian Church or Stillwater Christian School.