Boerne – Jo Ann Faust Hand, age 76, died Wednesday March 20, 2019 at her son’s home after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Hand is survived by her three children: Jana H. McLoughlin (Chris), Dona H. Kemp and Charles C. Hand IV (Casey). She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Blakely Elaine Moore, Abigail Morrigan Hand, Robert Chase Kemp, Madison Kimber Hand and Dalton Connor Hand. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 57 years Chuck Hand, her parents Joseph W. Faust and Edna Lucille Faust (Stuckey), and infant brother Billy Joseph Faust.
Jo Ann was born in Greenville, Alabama but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee where she graduated from Central High School. She later attended Faulkner State Community College majoring in English. She was a devoted wife and mother, often times making incredible sacrifices (including her health) for her family. She worked as a store manager for Hart’s Fried Chicken in its early years and would only eat their chicken until the day she died. She worked as the office manager for Cochran Insurance and Appraisal for over 20 years before taking on the same role for the Mobile Emergency Group where she retired in 2006. She loved her work and cherished the many friendships she made while working.
She was an avid reader, loving both James Lee Burke and Anne Rice novels but would never turn down one of those trashy love novels. She had a broad musical palate and loved to dance, even taking belly-dancing lessons in the 1970’s. When asked who her favorite team was she replied, “whoever Charles is playing for.” She never missed any of his games and hardly missed a practice. She loved the New Orleans Saints back when brown bags were accepted head gear and was so proud of Drew Brees leading them to a Super Bowl Championship. She pulled for the Volunteers but was a Crimson Tider at heart, preferring the Bear to Gene Stallings but appreciated and respected Nick Saban and his process. She bled Dodger blue alongside her son and even pulled for his ‘Noles while he lived at home. Gone With The Wind was her favorite movie and Jim Croce’s, Tim In A Bottle her favorite song. She cried when Elvis died. She liked pansies and hummingbirds. A devoted wife and mother she was heard saying she would only leave her husband if Sean Connery, Sam Elliot, Tom Selleck or Tom Jones came calling…but she would be back. Jo Ann loved a stimulating religious or political conversation often stating a well thought out and factually supported opinion. You always knew where you stood with Jo Ann.
Jo Ann took on many traits and interests of her husband and children so she could spend more time with them. In 1973, she won a “Lousy Shooter” trophy in her first and ONLY black powder rifle competition, shooting every leg and outlasting many of the male competitors. Not fond of the water, she did enjoy fishing and sitting on the beach reading JAWS while her children played in the surf. She loved raw oysters and “good” bar-b-que which she never found in Texas!
The only thing Jo Ann loved more than her husband, children and grandchildren was her Lord and Savior. Her favorite holiday was Easter for the hope and the promise it represents.
Her desire was to be cremated and sprinkled under a dogwood tree, though never a fan, she did chuckle and tell her son this Bob Knight quote could be her epitaph, “When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ass!”
She will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to make her acquaintance.
