Born on May 6, 1940, Jo Ann was the daughter of Jake and Sara Myrt Burton. She was a graduate of LaFayette High School and Jacksonville State University. A classroom teacher for over thirty years, she taught for four different school systems in Georgia before moving back to LaFayette where she was a teacher and guidance counselor at Chambers Academy for fourteen years.

She was a member of the LaFayette First United Methodist Church where she filled many roles including singing in the choir and organizing the church’s annual community Holy Week services.

She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Jimmy Burton and Ben Burton. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Ray Heath; sons, Jeffery Burton Heath (Anita) of Columbus, Mississippi and Stanley Craig Heath of LaFayette; grandsons, Craig Heath of Auburn and Jeffery Heath, Jr. of Ohio; granddaughter, Erin Heath of Richmond, Virginia; brother Buddy Burton (Lynda) of LaFayette, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jo Ann was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, a cherished friend to many, and an encouraging mentor to her students. Her valiant battle with cancer was an inspiration to all who knew her.