Jo Ellen Gilstrap

Jo Ellen Gilstrap was born May 6, 1944 in Tavares, Florida to parents Paul Heverin and Adeline Elizabeth (Mitchell) Reed. She went to be with the Lord January 18, 2018 in Dallas, Texas.

Jo Ellen was many things to those lives she touched. She was a wife, sister, mother, Gigi, friend, and nurse. She shared 53 years of a blessed marriage with her husband, Larry, filled with many adventures of travels and many times on the golf course. They shared raising three daughters, Lori, Lisa, and Erin. Jo Ellen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attended many dance recitals, choir concerts, Karate lessons, cold soccer games, track meets, half-time shows, and graduations.

Her favorite past time was golf. She played every week with her lady’s league, with so many of them becoming her close friends.
Jo Ellen and her brother, Doug, lived closed together in recent years, giving them the opportunity of sharing many special conversations and time on the golf course.

One of her favorite places to visit was Florida, the state of her birth, to be on the beach with Larry’s sister, Shirley, and the Jacksonville crew.
Jo Ellen was selfless. She was always there to provide a warm smile, healing touch, and comfort to any family or friend in need. Jo Ellen would be the first one in the hospital for family and friends to provide comfort and care to ensure they were not afraid.

Jo Ellen brought so much love, encouragement, and happiness to everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband Larry Gilstrap, daughters Lori Monk and her husband Michael, Lisa Richards and her husband Rob and Erin Gilstrap, grandchildren Jackie, Pierce and Josie Monk, Hayley and Hannah Campbell, Bronte’ and Aidan Bagwell and Addie Walden, brother Doug Reed and his wife Rowena.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, Texas, 75075.