Dr. Jo-Ann Hammons, age 88, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025. Born in Greenwood, Mississippi, on March 25, 1937, she was the beloved daughter of Reginald Henderson Hammons and Mable Celestine McLaurin.

     Jo-Ann’s life was defined by her unwavering dedication to education, scholarship, and service. She earned her B.S. from Jackson State College (now Jackson State University), her M.S. from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University), and pursued doctoral studies at Smith College, where she earned her Ph.D., as well as at the University of Memphis. Her academic journey reflected a deep commitment to advancing knowledge and empowering others through teaching.

     She began her distinguished career at Meharry Medical College before joining Murray State University in 1989. At Murray State, Dr. Hammons taught in the Division of Communication Studies, specializing in communication disorders. She retired in 2010 as Professor Emerita after 21 years of inspiring students through rigorous scholarship and compassionate mentorship. Her excellence in teaching was recognized with the Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award in 1997.

     Jo-Ann cherished her family deeply. She is survived by her siblings Dolores Bragg (Cleveland, OH), Reginald Hammons (Ogden, UT), and Connie Patterson (Las Vegas, NV); cousin George Leslie Johnson (Patricia) of Nashville, TN; sister-in-law Marva Hammons (Denver, CO); and her nieces and nephews: Karen Bragg Mathews (Darrick), Angela Bragg (Eric), Teresa Thompson, Aprile White, David Bolden, Pepper Peete, Brian Patterson, Lisa Patterson Phillips (Arthur), Tracie Hammons-Giesecke (Nelson), Loela Hammons, Lee Hammons (Corinne), and Catherine Hammons. She also leaves behind eleven (11) great-nieces and nephews, two great-great nieces, and one great-great nephew.

     She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Beatrice Bolden, Elva Bankhead, and Walter Richard Hammons; brothers-in-law Louis Bragg, Soloman Bankhead, Herbert Bolden, and Russell Patterson; sister-in-law Beverly Hammons; and three great-nephews: Justin Thompson, Bryon Thompson, and Marcus Thompson.

     Dr. Hammons was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Murray, Kentucky, until declining health prompted her move to be closer to family—first to Columbus, Ohio, and later to Boise, Idaho, where she was lovingly cared for by Lisa and Arthur Phillips.

     Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Inniswood Village in Westerville, OH, and the Cottages Columbia Village in Boise, ID, with special appreciation to the staff of Lighthouse Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate care in her final days.

     Donations in Dr. Hammons’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to support students at Murray State University, Meharry Medical College, or the University of Memphis.

A memorial service will be held in March 2026 in Murray, Kentucky, where family, friends, colleagues, and former students will gather to honor her remarkable life and enduring legacy.

     Dr. Jo-Ann Hammons will be remembered as a trailblazer in higher education, a devoted mentor, and a loving family member whose wisdom, generosity, and commitment to learning enriched countless lives