JO ANN WADE

Jo Ann was born on September 29, 1934 in Wetzel County. She graduated from Magnolia High School in 1952, where she was an honor student, active in many clubs and lettered in cheerleading.

She met Jerome (Jerry) Wade (1934-2014) in high school, and they married on June 26, 1954, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville. Jerry and Jo Ann served as Eucharistic Ministers and were active on many church committees. Jo Ann also served as the cheerleading coach at St. Vincent Catholic School prior to its closing.

The Wade home was always welcoming to family, friends, and neighbors and the scene of many games, picnics, and Easter Egg hunts. Jo Ann also had many hobbies, but her passions were playing bridge and sewing. She was known for sewing clothes for her family and costumes for many school plays. Her favorite pastime was sharing time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jo Ann was employed with Mobay Chemical Corp (Bayer) until she retired as an Executive Assistant in Research and Development. She was an active member of the New Martinsville Library Board for many years. She remained in New Martinsville for nine years after Jerry’s death and moved to Wilmington, NC in 2023 to be closer to family.

Left to cherish her memory are devoted children Jan Ellen Crane of Wilmington, NC; Jacqueline Jean Estep and husband John of Vienna, WV; and Jerome (Jerry) Wade, Jr and wife Susan of Lake Lotawana, MO; grandchildren Jennifer Crane (Lou), Jacqueline Pait (Roby), Scotty Crane; David Underwood (Megan), Kristen Cathey (Hank), Megan Todd (George); Kelley Anne Cole (Eric), Daniel Wade, Andrew Wade, Morgan Wade; and great-grand children Brayden and Anderson Pait, Emmy and Cameron Underwood, Madison, Bryce, and Connor Cathey, Nora and Ethan Todd, and Isaac Cole. She is also survived by her brother Jack Lawrence Herrmann (Nancy), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory, 751 Third Street, New Martinsville, WV on Monday, April 21, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be offered on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Parish, 21 Rosary Road, New Martinsville. Burial will follow in Northview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be kindly accepted at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or online at lifecare.org/donate.

Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneralhomes.com