Jo Ann Hoskins

Jo Ann Hoskins, 82, passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2026, following a lengthy illness. Jo was born on March 8, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ann and Walter Smith. She attended the University of Tennessee, where she met her future husband, Charles Hoskins. After a two-year courtship, Jo and Charlie married on March 24, 1963, the week following Charlie’s graduation.

Jo and Charlie’s 63-year marriage was a true testament to steadfast love and a lifelong commitment to loyalty, care, and friendship. Together, they built a life and family, welcoming two children, Ashley and Charles Jr. (Chad). Jo chose to devote herself to raising her children full time and embraced her role with unwavering dedication and fierce support. Twice during their school-age years, she gracefully and selflessly uprooted their family to accommodate Charlie’s career moves. Ashley and Chad always felt her protection, her deep interest in every aspect of their lives, and her steady encouragement to believe they could accomplish anything. She was immensely proud of both of them, and equally, her five grandchildren.

Grounded in a strong faith, Jo became increasingly involved in the ministries of Christ Episcopal Church after becoming an empty-nester. Thus began her second chapter. Her drive, sense of responsibility, astute judgment, compassion, and gift for building relationships helped her emerge as a leader within the church. While serving as Senior Warden of the vestry, Jo experienced a call to ordained ministry. Once she began her role as the church’s Director of Lay Ministry and Newcomers, she returned to college and completed the Deacon Formation Program. She was ultimately ordained as The Reverend Deacon Jo Hoskins and continued to listen, connect, inspire, and serve countless individuals and families.

Although Jo’s greatest joys were her family, her faith and her church, she had many other interests. She had a creative flair, evident in her beautiful needlepoint and knitting, a powerful tennis game, and a remarkable eye for spatial design and a gift for detail that she brought to house planning. Her kitchen was always buzzing with activity as family and her children’s friends gathered to share meals and, invariably, exceptional desserts.

As the eldest of five children, Jo naturally became the leader, organizer, and responsible voice in the room at an early age. She firmly believed in the importance of family bonds and made sure they were nurtured and celebrated. Each Thanksgiving, she hosted upwards of 35 family members in their home, where being together was a family tradition and attendance was non-negotiable. Jo treasured being a mother and grandmother, and she and Charlie loved traveling together throughout the years. They explored new places by plane, by ship, and even by motorcycle — to see Jo riding on the back of the bike was a sight to behold.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Chad, who died in October 2025. She is survived by her adoring husband, Charlie; her daughter, Ashley Hoskins Carrington (Bruce); and her five grandchildren, Bruce, Kate (Gus Murray), Sally, Robert, and Elizabeth. She is also survived by her sister, Kathy (Robert Pender), and her three brothers, David (Carole), Doug (Cynthia), and Tom (Marty).

The family extends special thanks to Leila Saoud, Amy Campbell, Janice Vose, and Delia Cole for their extraordinary care, kindness, and devotion to Jo during the last few years of her life.

A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Christ Episcopal Church, with a reception to follow in Westbury Hall.

Memorial gifts in Jo’s honor may be made to Christ Episcopal Church Ponte Vedra Beach, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.