"I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May you find comfort from your memories, as well as God's word the Bible. Why do people we love die? Romans 5:12 says: "That is why, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." How loving of God to promise what is found at Revelation 21:4 which says, "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore, the former things have passed away. "
In loving memory of
Jo Ann Merritt Ward
Jo Ann Merritt Ward, 59, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Jo Ann was surrounded by the love of an incredible group of close friends and caregivers. Her years were filled with great joy in all that she held dear - family, friends and an incredible zest for life. Preceded in death by her mother Betty Jo Todd Merritt and father Ralph De Leon Merritt Jr., Jo Ann is survived by sisters Cindy Merritt Roughgarden and husband Frank Roughgarden of Greensboro, Patricia Merritt Wilkins and husband John Wilkins of Raleigh, brother, Le Merritt, and Millie Merritt of Goldsboro. Jo Ann was devoted to her nephews Branan Roughgarden, Matthew Roughgarden, Jackson Wilkins and niece Emma Wilkins, all of whom she loved dearly. Jo Ann was supported throughout her wonderful life by good friends Cindy Eden and Mack Carroll as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Jo Ann adored her beautiful Conure, Tango and her Bernese mountain dog, Bear.
Jo Ann grew up in Goldsboro, NC, lived in Raleigh and moved to Ft Lauderdale, FL. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and a little sister at the Phi Tau fraternity.
She was an outstanding employee of Bell South from 1978 to 2001 as a system designer, national account manager and computer science network engineer. In 1991, Jo Ann served on the NC advisory board for the Secretary of State. She was managing partner of Atlantic Interior and Antiques. Jo Ann enjoyed many years of volunteer service on multiple boards and in various leadership roles at numerous civic and community organizations in Raleigh and Fort Lauderdale.
In 1996, as an outstanding employee of Bell South, Jo Ann was chosen to be a part of the Olympic Torchbearer run through NC for the Atlanta Olympics. It was a great honor for her to proudly represent Bell South, North Carolina and the US in this historic run.
Jo Ann enjoyed life to the fullest. She traveled throughout the U.S., the Caribbean, and abroad including France, China and Russia. She enjoyed exercising and was a competitive runner. Jo Ann loved the outdoors and enjoyed deep sea fishing and boating. She earned her USCG Captain's License in 2001. Being on her boat, out on the water with the thrill of landing a big fish excited her and was one of her greatest joys.
Jo Ann was loved by so many and was known as a gentle and passionate champion and advocate for others. Visitation will be from 4 - 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2015, at Fred Hunter's Downtown Ft. Lauderdale Funeral Home, 718 S. Federal Highway, followed by a celebration of her life from 6 - 8 p.m. at her home in Ft Lauderdale. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 2 at Community Funeral Home in Warsaw, NC with a graveside service at Golden Grove Cemetery in Kenansville N.C. Jo Ann will be laid to rest next to her mother. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice by the Sea at www.hbts.org or call 561-494-6887 to speak with a foundation representative.
Tributes
"Thanks to Jim and Cindy Eden I met Jo Ann a couple years ago. While I only knew her for these past couple of years it felt like many more because of our similar life experiences especially our parellel career paths with BellSouth. Jo Ann was a System Designer and I interfaced with her department as a Network Major Account Manager...we worked on like projects and served many of the same major account customers, she out of the Carolinas and me out of Florida. The few times we had the opportunity to recall past work experiences I could easily see her depth of knowledge and skill. But the one thing that spoke the most of Jo Ann was her enthusiasm and love of people and life...a wonderful geniune loving spirit! I sincerely miss her, her laughter, and that great smile!"
"Jo Ann was such a beautiful person inside and out. My husband and I were fortunate to spend several vacations/wedding and she was always so much fun to be around. We will all miss your beautiful smile and laughter Jo Ann."
"I would like to express my deepest condolences to Jo Ann's family. I was saddened to see the news of Jo Ann's passing in the News & Observer this morning. I remember Jo Ann well from when she worked with me as an intern in the Consumer Division of the NC Department of Insurance during one summer while she was in college. She was very smart and did an outstanding job with us. I am very pleased to read that she accomplished so much in life. Larry Brewer Retired CIO NC Department of Insurance"
"I knew Jo Ann through my sister, Jan Cummings. I remember walking into her condo for the first time and thought, "This lady has style! I loved her carousel horse and all those unique pieces. You just knew she'd be fun to be around. JoAnn would literally light up a room. I'm so glad to have known her. Love, Lynne Roy"
"My deepest condolences to Jo Ann's family. I have no words that can truly express the deep pain felt but I pray that these words from our Heavenly Father will comfort you. Isaiah 41:10 Says: 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.' He promises that one day He will do away with pain, sorrow and even the enemy death because He loves us. 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 21:3,4; John 5:25,26; John 3:16. As we keep praying for that day to come (Matthew 6:9,10), may God grant you peace that is beyond all understanding. Philippians 4:7. Heartfelt prayers are with you."
"Fir several years, I had the pleasure of working with Jo Ann when she served on the Board of Directors of the Central Beach Alliance, a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood civic association. What an absolutely lovely woman - so gracious and full of charm. My sincere condolences to her loved ones."
"Please accept my sincere condolences. I can only imagine the sadness that your feeling as you deal with the loss of your precious loved one. May you take comfort in the expression of God's love found at Psalms 34:18 which says,"Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit." "
"This photo of Jo Ann seems to say it all of the small bits of her I knew. her glamorous style, positive outlook and courage in the face of many challenges. It was always a pleasure to be around her the few times it was possible. and how lucky she was to have Cindy for a friend...to the end....and how great is her loss to so many. "
"I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Ward family. May those precious memories of your dear loved one Jo Ann be foremost in your hearts and minds along with this wonderful promise that Jesus made at John 5:28,29. Again, my sincere condolences."
""Sometimes people come into your life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime. It matters not the time they spend with you but how they impact your life in that time." JoAnn brought joy with her positive spirit and style and grace to whatever she did. We will miss her smile, her laughter and her wonderful friendship. Our deepest sympathies to her family and great friends. Jan and Jim Cummings "
"I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jo Ann Merritt Ward. May you find much comfort and peace in God's promise of life without end in paradise. Psalm 37:11, 29."
"My sincere condolences to Mack, Cindy and Jim and to all of Jo Ann's family."
"My deepest condolences to your family. May you find comfort in Isaiah 25:8 were it says death will be swallowed up forever and mourning will be no more. "