Jo-Ann Carlton "Mama Jo" Blair

March 13, 1943 - July 31, 2020

Jo-Ann Carlton Blair, age 77, entered her Heavenly home on Friday, July 31, 2020. Jo-Ann was born to Lloyd & Ruby Carlton on March 13, 1943 in Moultrie, GA. The youngest of six children, Jo-Ann grew up giving her four older brothers a run for their money around the family farm. After graduating in 1961 from Moultrie High School, Jo-Ann attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where she earned an Associate’s Degree. On Dec. 22, 1962, at 19 years of age, Jo-Ann married the love of her life, Charles Blair. The Blairs subsequently welcomed a son, David Carlton, and a daughter, Mollie LeAnne. Jo-Ann spent 34 years working with the Georgia Department of Family & Children’s Services, primarily in Thomas, Decatur, Coffee, Worth, Irwin, and Tift Counties. At her retirement in 2001, she was serving as the DCS Director of both Cook County & Berrien County. After leaving DCS, Jo-Ann served the South Georgia Church of God as the Director of Media & Public Relations until 2004. During their 57 years of marriage, Jo-Ann served faithfully beside Charles as they pastored Attapulgus Church of God, West Green Church of God, Adel Church of God, Albany-8 th Avenue Church of God, Broxton Church of God, Ocilla Church of God, Chester Church of God, Thomasville-Parkway Church of God, Willacoochee Church of God, and, most recently, the Ray City Church of God. Affectionately and commonly known as “Mama Jo,” Jo-Ann’s greatest joy was serving others, especially if it involved cooking, baking, and taking on the role of hostess. She was never happier than when she was wearing an apron. With a true servant’s heart, not only in her public service career but also as a pastor’s wife, Mama Jo leaped at every opportunity to care for those in her community. On weekends, she could often be found perusing and picking through the local yard sales. Although she named her collection “Mama Jo’s Treasures,” she made it consistently and abundantly clear that her true treasure was her family. Jo-Ann is preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Lee Brooks Carlton; father, William Moses E-Lloyd Carlton; brothers, J.D. “Snooks” Carlton, Freddie Foy (Clementine) Carlton, Garnett Brooks (Anita) Carlton, and John Lamar Carlton; and sister, Madeline Broxton. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Charles Blair; son, Dr. David (Janet) Blair; daughter, Mollie (Brett) Jarriel; granddaughters, Brittani LeAnna Blair, Blaire Ashley Jarriel, and Chloe Alissa Jarriel; grandsons, David Bruce (KaLea) Blair and Aaron Blake (Caitlin) Jarriel; great-granddaughter, Nova Grace Jarriel; great-grandson, David Charles Blair; and sister-in-law, Cornelia Carlton. To honor the life of Mama Jo, the family will receive friends and guests at a “ drive through only” visitation from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at the Adel Church of God, located at 9208 Val-Del Road, Adel, GA 31620. The family respectfully requests that social distancing guidelines be observed, including the wearing of face masks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Life service and interment for Mama Jo will be held privately with her family. To honor Mama Jo’s years of service at the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services and her passion for orphans, in lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a fund that has been created to carry on her legacy of supporting children and orphans around the world. Contributions may be made by mail as follows: “Mama Jo” Blair Memorial Fund Post Office Box 2430 Cleveland, Tennessee 37320 Or electronically at http://www.cogevents.com/blair . Those who would like to share a special message or memory may do so at that link as well. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Boone Funeral Home, 202 N. Hutchinson Ave., Adel, GA 31620, phone (229) 896-2613 ( http://boonefunerals.com ). You may also share your condolences and your memories with “Mama Jo Blair” at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.