Jo Melissa McDermott

July 18, 1960 - April 21, 2020

Jo Melissa McDermott, daughter of B.D. and Arleen Thorne, was born July 18, 1960, in Primghar, Iowa and WALKED home to Jesus on April 21, 2020. The family moved to Bentonville, Arkansas in 1964 where Jo attended and graduated from Bentonville High School. Arkansas remained her home until she married Donnie McDermott on March 3, 1995 and moved to Oklahoma. Jo’s passion was horses. She was at her happiest while showing and riding, particularly her beloved paint, that she raised from a colt, Sweetheart; with which Jo is now reunited. She is survived by her parents B.D. and Arleen Thorne; her husband, Donnie McDermott; her daughter, Jillian York and husband, Neil, their four children Remington, Oakleigh, Karigain, and Elizabeth; two step daughters, Ashley McDermott and Leah McDermott and her son, Rylan; her brother, John Thorne and wife, Robyn, and sister, Joy Haltom, and her husband, Dennis. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Hannah Scott and husband, Eric, and their two children; Krista Prieto, and her husband, David, and their daughter; Marva Haltom, Seth Haltom and wife, Claudia, and their daughter; Daniel Haltom; Wendy Forsyth, and husband, Tom, and their four children; Katie Thorne; Matthew Thorne; Christopher Thorne. Jo delighted in her role as “Mamaw”, was loved by many, and will be deeply missed. Celebration of life service will be held June 6, 2020 at 2 pm at Hopeton Wesleyan Church, in Hopeton, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, honoring Jo’s love for horses, the family ask that donations be made to Bennie’s Barn Horse Therapy Ranch; www.benniesbarn.org.