Jo N. IsbellJo Nadine Isbell passed away at the age of eighty-six on Monday, June 19, 2006, at Amazing Grace Assisted Care in Midland, Texas. She was born May 15, 1920 in Iredell, Bosque County, Texas, to Elmo B. Heyroth and Mattie B. Martin Heyroth. She graduated from high school in Glen Rose, Texas, where she was a star player on the state champion basketball team and a state finalist on the schools tennis team. During World War II, she was a civilian worker for the United States Army in San Antonio, Texas, and Alamagordo, New Mexico. She met her future husband, Joe Isbell, who was stationed with the Army in Alamagordo, and they married and lived in Silver City where their only son, Rocky, was born. They moved to Midland in the fifties, and Jo began working for Atlantic Richfield Company and its successor, ARCO. After 33 years with ARCO, she retired in 1985 and immediately became a volunteer staff worker at Bellview Baptist Church for another three years, finally retiring in 1988.Jo Jo, as she was fondly called by her family and friends, loved to read and talk on the phone with her older sister, Mary Gregory. She loved all creatures, especially her herd of turtles. She rarely missed her daily three-mile walk in her neighborhood. She was a patient and understanding friend to many, and a woman of principles. She was a long-time and active member of Bellview Baptist Church in Midland until advanced Alzheimers made it impossible for her to attend after 1999. She is survived by her son, Rocky and his wife, Lois, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her dear brother, Robert Heyroth of Beaumont, Texas. She was preceded in death by sister, husband and parents. The family of Jo Isbell is eternally grateful of the care for their mother before her death by Hospice of Midland, the staff at Amazing Grace Assisted Care and Melba and Bill Chapman and after her death by Kasi Welch-Baker and Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4616 North Big Spring Street in Midland, with Pastor Myron L. Unruh of Bellview Baptist Church presiding. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Midland, 911 West Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
