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Jo Ann Ballard Oakley, age 83, of Eden, NC passed away Saturday afternoon at Hospice of Rockingham County in Wentworth, NC.

A funeral Service will be held at Spray United Methodist Church, Eden, NC on Tuesday July 19, 2016 at 11:00AM with the Reverend Sue Anne Morris presiding and the Reverend David Westmoreland assisting. Burial will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.

Jo was born in Ronceverte, West Virginia. She attended Gap Mills High School in Gap Mills, West Virginia before attending Danville Community College. Jo then worked for Dibrell Tobacco Company until starting a family. Later in life she worked part-time in the china and crystal department of Belks Department Store in Eden, North Carolina.

Jo was a member of the Spray United Methodist Church in Eden, North Carolina for over 60 years. She was a longtime choir member, Sunday School Superintendent, and served on many work missions in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. In addition to her participation in her church and community, Jo was a faithful servant to her Lord and helped to nurture the spirit of others through her commitment to Emmaus. Jo served on the steering committee for the creation of the Dan River Emmaus Community.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents J. A. and Mayme Ballard. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Carson Oakley; son Robert (Bobby) Oakley and his wife Sue of Fountain Hills, AZ; William (Billy) Oakley and his wife Nancy of Mooresville, NC; Thomas (Tommy) Oakley and his wife Reena of Bethany, NC; daughter Sharon Price and her husband Ed of Plano, TX; grandchildren Heather Barker, Grady (Tripp) Price, William Price; greatgrandchildren Cody Barker, Levi Barker, and Grady Price, IV; her sister Evelyn Collins of Danville, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at the church one hour prior to the service.

A special thank you is extended to the doctors and staff of Hospice of Rockingham County and the doctors and staff of Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden for their loving support.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable contributions to Spray United Methodist Church for the Draper Elementary School Backpack Pals (803 Morgan Rd, Eden, NC 27288), Hospice of Rockingham County (2150 NC-65, Reidsville, NC 27320), or Salvation Army of Eden (314 Morgan Rd, Eden, NC 27288).

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com.

To The Oakley Family : I was so saddened to see the passing of Jo. I loved to run in to her and catch up and chat. She always had a beautiful, infectious smile that when we parted, I found myself smiling. I pray that each of you with find the peace that passes all understanding. She,was a wonderful lady to have known.