Jo Killmer

Jo Anne Sullivan Killmer joined the heavenly chorus on December 11, 2014, at 86 years of age. Born in her parents' home on July 18, 1928, she was the youngest of five children of Reid and Alba Heilman Sullivan. The Heilman and Sullivan families were Arkansas pioneers, and Jo Anne grew up across the road from the log cabin that her great-grandfather built, surrounded by extended family. Except for the first year after she married, she lived her entire life at the corner of Conway Pike and Crystal Hill Road, first in her parents' home and then in the house that she and her husband built. Polio and measles as a child forced to her wear a brace for most of her life, but she never let it stand in the way of leading a full, active life of love and service. She was proud to have climbed Pinnacle Mountain on crutches as a girl. Jo Anne attended Oak Grove School and North Little Rock High School (Class of 1947). While waiting for the bus to take her to work, she met the love of her life, and she and Walter Thomas Killmer were married on February 21, 1953. Tommy and Jo Anne were married for 52 years until his death on November 28, 2005. Jo Anne loved her family, her church and music. She sang, played piano and directed choirs, and was music director of Crystal Valley Baptist Church for 30 years. She was a charter member of Crystal Valley and served as church secretary for 25 years. She taught Sunday School for nearly 70 years and led a class of adult women, originally the Mary and Martha Class, from the 1960s until a few weeks before her passing. Jo Anne and Tommy had two children, who survive her: Deanna S. Puckett (Shuana Donahue) of Roland, and Walter T. Killmer, Jr. (Daniel Ade) of Los Angeles. She is also survived by many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews. Special thanks to her caregivers, Loretta, Vikki, Shirley and Kara; honorary daughter Mary Alice Chambers; Dr. David Hicks and the nursing staff of Baptist Health Medical Center; and the staff of Hospice Home Care. Visitation at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home on Wednesday at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Martin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Crystal Valley Baptist Church Roof Fund. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .