Jo Ann Goodell

Jo Ann Farris Goodell, 92, of Belton, formerly of Uvalde and Lakeway, passed peacefully on September 1, 2022, at home.

She was born August 18, 1930, in Uvalde to Jane Knibbe and Charles Farris. After graduating from Uvalde High School in 1947, she worked as a journalist and columnist for the Uvalde Leader News. Her column known as “Hash” was popular in the 1950’s. She met her husband Bill Goodell at a dance in Knippa. The two married and moved to Austin where she worked for the University of Texas Press. She was also a member of the Dallas Press Club and the couple were very involved in Republican politics. Jo Ann and Bill moved to Tehran, Iran in 1965 where they lived for 10 years.  Jo Ann continued to write for The Tehran Daily Journal and Atlantic Richfield’s company magazine. The couple then moved to Copenhagen, Denmark and Jakarta, Indonesia where she produced plays for the International Women’s Group. In retirement, her hobbies included genealogy, archaeology, and producing videos for Access Television in Austin. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by one daughter, Vicky Snyder and her husband Greg of Belton; two granddaughters: Monica Pigg and Jennifer Weaver; one grandson, Austin Snyder; and seven great grandchildren. She will be missed by her two nieces Peggy Porter and Janie Rivers; her nephew Ron Farris; cousin Allen Leistikow; friends Dr. Jane Knapik, Allene Mandry and Darlene Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill Goodell; daughter Joan Howell (husband Lynn); and grandson, Billy Pigg.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. September 10, 2022 at Rushing-Estes Chapel, Uvalde; followed by burial at Knippa Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the El Progreso Memorial Library, Uvalde.