Obituary On October 13, 1951, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, a beautiful baby girl was born to the loving parents of Elvin Hunt, Sr., and Gladys Frazier Hunt.

She attended Attucks Elementary from first grade until sixth grade. She then furthered her education from seventh grade to twelfth grade, attending the Historic Dunbar High School. Her graduating class of 1969 was the last class to graduate from Dunbar.

She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She attended church with her family at Revival Center House of Prayer under the leadership of Mother Grace Tucker. After graduation, she attended OSU-Okmulgee Tech, where she studied culinary arts. It is there that she met Ellsworth J. "Roy" Payne. After graduation, they were married in 1971. To this blessed union four children were born, one daughter and three sons.

Jo Ann started her employment with Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa around 1973, where she was lovingly known as "Momma Jo." She would work there for forty plus years, until her retirement.

She was a faithful and dedicated member of The Church House of Prayer Ministries Inc., which was founded by her mother, Gladys Hunt. She attended until her health began to fail. Through it all, she remained steadfast in the Lord. She was rebaptized at her request by her uncle, Pastor Jesse Frazier, on April 6, 2024.

Jo Ann was always a compassionate caregiver and always helped care for others on their sick beds. She was a loyal visitor to hospitals and medical appointments, and helped loved ones after surgeries or whenever she was needed. Jo Ann loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, because they gave her a great sense of pride and joy. She enjoyed watching them grow and was always available to celebrate every milestone.

On June 9, 2024, Jo Ann Hunt Payne drifted into a peaceful sleep of eternal rest in Christ Jesus. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; an infant brother, her brother, Pastor Elvin Hunt, Jr.; and her brother-in- law, Leon Smith.

She leaves to honor her memory: her loving children, her daughter, Myoshia (LC) Harding of Tulsa, OK; her sons, Alvin (Tiaa) and Jason (Nicole) both of Norman, OK, and Anthony, Sr. (Gale), of Broken Arrow, OK; siblings, Rebecca (Ed) Reed of Wichita, KS, Melba (Melvin) Fields, Susan (Leon) Smith, and Brenda (Floyd) Rogers, all of Tulsa, OK, and Elvin (Jerline) Bell of Dallas TX; uncles and aunts, Pastor Jesse (Shirley) Frazier of Kansa City, MO, Dave (Norma) Drew of Okmulgee, OK, and Elnita Cowansof Tulsa, OK; adopted little sister, Rochelle Pearson of Okmulgee, OK; adopted daughters, LaRita Verners of Dallas, TX, Ninette Edwards of Dallas, TX, and Chaniah Bell of Tulsa, OK; nine grandchildren, De'Angelo (Ashley), Diamond, Cle' Metra, Laymon, Laila, Chamayia, Anthony, Jr., Breilyn, and Brooklyn; bonus grands, Ameco, Nakiya, Shyla, Michael, and Jaemon; great- grandchildren, Adonis, and Achilles; her Chop Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

The Celebration of Life will commence on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the Eleventh Hour in the most holy sanctuary of St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church in Okmulgee.

You may visit her as she slumbers in peaceful repose in The All Faiths Chapel of Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Tulsa on Sunday, June 23, 2024 between the hours of 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

The Christian Committal will immediately follow the services in the Okmulgee Cemetery.