Mrs. Jo Ellen Cannon

Prim and proper Jo Ellen was born into humble means to Joe and Ruby Terral in August of 1933 in Bowie County, Texas. She was so special, she celebrated two birthdays due to the fact that the country doctor who completed her birth certificate days, or even weeks afterward, entered August 26th instead of the 21st as her mother recalled. She was the eldest child and loved her younger brother Barry and their baby sister Lorita very much. Jo Ellen met the love of her life, Lyndole Raymond "Squat" Cannon, after he immediately called dibs on her as she stepped off the school bus at New Boston High for the first time. They married when she was just 17 on Easter Sunday at Malta Baptist Church, March 25th of 1951. Her long and faithful marriage to Squat, well known for his youthful pranks and kidding, proved that one of her greatest attributes was patience. They had 4 children together. William Lynn, was born prematurely in November of 1951 and survived just over a day…in their lives briefly but never forgotten. In September 1953 Lyndole Raymond, Jr. (Ray) was born, followed in November 1955 by Perry Michael. In January 1962, Doris Ellen (Darcy) was born. Jo was a kind and loving mother who made sure her children used their manners and never said inappropriate words like “belly button”. She modeled kindness and one of her signature phrases was “now don’t be ugly”. Squat moved their young family to Grand Prairie when he joined the Fire Department in 1959. They quickly made cherished, lasting friendships with many GPFD families. Jo Ellen was a spiritual leader at home, quietly sipping her hot tea each morning as she read her Bible. They raised their children at First Congregational Methodist Church, where the kids were surrounded by a loving church family, still considered family to this day. Jo was a friend to all and had a knack for remembering details that let you know she listened and cared. It was not uncommon to find that even tenants who rented a home from the Cannons, were drawn to her gentleness and her listening ear. She would often pray with those that confided in her trustworthy heart. She could rock a grandbaby to sleep in a matter of seconds, and was the patient Mamaw who would host all 6 grandkids at once for a sleepover. She was a wonderful cook whose yeast rolls, pies, and red velvet cakes, have added inches to the waistlines of many satisfied family and friends. When Alzheimer’s began to steal away her quick-witted, hard-working husband’s mind, Jo’s care and devotion was the very picture of strength and grace. Their children saw her love their father so well through this difficult time. They were married almost 64 years at his passing in January of 2015. In recent years, she became quite the assisted living socialite with bingo being her favorite activity. Our meek Jo Ellen became very competitive and was disappointed if she didn’t win often! Her family found it both humorous and appropriate that she hid her prized Bingo Bucks in her Bible. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her mother Ruby and father Joe Terral, sons William Lynn and Perry Michael, brother Barry Terral, most of her beloved in-laws, nephew Keith Cannon, and great-niece Kim Cannon. Her calming spirit and her tight hugs will be missed by her son Ray and wife Debra Cannon of Terrell, daughter Doris Ellen (Darcy) and husband Phil Harris of Grand Prairie, daughter-in-law, Diana Farrar; sister Lorita and husband David Ruff of New Boston, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be held at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 E. Main Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 at 10:30 AM Friday, October 28th, followed immediately by a chapel service at 11:30 AM. Interment follows immediately after at Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens, 3001 S. Belt Line Rd., Grand Prairie, 75052. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family suggests First Congregational Methodist, 1310 S. Belt Line Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75051 or GPFD Hearts & Hoses at https://gpfdheartsandhoses.com

Mrs. Jo Ellen Cannon

August 21, 1933 - October 18, 2022