Jo Ann Baker Whisnand died Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 11:00 am in the NICHE unit at Midland Memorial Hospital. Jo Ann lived a life committed to her faith and her family. On July 14, 1927, she was born to Jodie Earl Baker and Harriet Ruth Stephenson Baker in Santa Anna, Texas. She and her younger brother, Billy Don Baker, grew up learning about the Christian faith and their world from their parents, who were educators active in the Baptist church and the community. Jo Ann graduated from Baylor University in 1948 with a degree in Home Economics and worked as a Home Demonstration Agent for the gas company. While at Baylor, she met Earl William Whisnand, and they married in March 1949. They were married for forty years and had three children, Deborah Jo, Philip Earl and Deanna Kay.Jo Ann was active in First Baptist Church Midland and did almost everything a woman could in the Baptist Church in her day. She served in various positions in the Women's Missionary Union, too many to list, and loved teaching missions to girls in Girls' Auxiliary and Acteens. She taught preschoolers at the Child Development Center for many years. She was on the FBC pulpit committee and on the Texas Baptist Executive Board nominating committee. She never turned down an opportunity to talk about missions work to any audience.In 1990 one of her dreams came true. She became a Mission Service Corp Volunteer for the Southern Baptist Convention. For two years she worked at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Cambridge, MA. She would never be the same as she ministered to persons that were homeless and coordinated the church's weekly meal for the community. She made good friends among the transplanted Southern Baptists in the church who were attending Harvard and MIT, as well as local neighbors.Jo Ann returned to FBC Midland, initially working with Rev. Banky Stocks in Benevolence Ministries. She consistently ministered there for the next thirteen years. Living modestly in an apartment, she loved helping the homeless, mentally ill and destitute in a community where they were invisible to many. After moving into the Mabee nursing facility at Manor Park in 2008, she continued reaching out to others – her fellow residents who were sad or suffering.Both parents and her younger brother, Billy Don Baker, died before Jo Ann. She is survived by her daughter, Rev. Deborah Whisnand and granddaughter Elizabeth Stinson Yanev and son-in-law, Andrew Yanev; by her son, Dr. Philip Whisnand and daughter-in-law, Diann Berry Whisnand; grandson Jay Whisnand and his wife, Becky, and great grandchildren Nathaniel and Bethany; grandson Wade Whisnand and his wife Tara, and great granddaughter Ruthie; and by her daughter Deanna Whisnand Rutherford and her husband John Rutherford, and grandsons Will and Kaden. Jo Ann has numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members and good friends.Memorial service will be Friday, April 17, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at First Baptist Church, Midland. Graveside services will be on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Santa Anna Cemetery in Santa Anna, TX.Memorials may be made to Benevolence Ministries of First Baptist Church, Midland, or Mabee Center at Manor Park, Midland.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
