Amy Jo Marshall

Amy Jo Marshall, 86, was born on March 16, 1938, and went to join her Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 27, 2024.  

Amy Jo was born in Tyler, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Olon and Ruby Fox.  Her childhood and teen years were spent Tyler, Texas where she attended public school and graduated from John Tyler High School in 1956.   Amy Jo began her undergraduate education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.  As a sophomore, she transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Education.   During her undergraduate years, she was an active member of Chi Omega Sorority.  After raising her family, she also attended Texas Tech University in the early 1980’s and graduated with her Master’s Degree in Business Education.

Amy Jo met the love of her life, Neal Marshall, in Tyler, Texas.  They were married on January 30, 1960.  The first year of their marriage they lived in Beaumont, Texas where Amy Jo worked and Neal finished college.  During their 57-year marriage, they followed Neal’s career with stints in Houston, Victoria, San Antonio and Uvalde.  In 1972, Amy Jo and Neal moved to Odessa, Texas where she was a homemaker and full – time mother to their two daughters.   As the girls started high school, Amy Jo began her new career as a Business Education teacher.  She spent over 20 years teaching at Odessa College, Permian High School, Ector High School, Odessa High School and San Angelo State University.  

Family and faith were the most important aspects of Amy Jo’s life.  She and Neal were the parents of two daughters, the grandparents to five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Amy Jo was a devoted wife and mother.  She loved her family well.  She was the ultimate homemaker and hostess as she cooked, sewed beautiful clothing, decorated her home and entertained family and friends.  As Neal began to decline, she devoted all of her time and energy to taking care of him and keeping her family upbeat and positive.  Her strong Christian faith sustained her during her lifetime .  She knew God was in control.

  Amy Jo was also involved in community life.  She served on the board of Young Life and was a member of Odessa Country Club Women’s Association, Round Table, Bible Study Fellowship, and First Baptist Church.  She also participated in numerous dinner clubs, luncheon groups, Bridge clubs, golf outings and domino groups.  Her hobbies included travel, golf, Bridge, sewing, and spending time with her beloved friends and family. 

Amy Jo is preceded in death by her husband, Neal Marshall; and her daughter, Amy Hawthorne Hardin.

 She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Marshall Mason and husband, Rick; and her five grandchildren, Wright Hawthorne and wife, Mackinsey, Marshall Hawthorne, Haley Hawthorne, and husband Matthew, Grant Mason, and fiancé, Brittany Hinkel, Blake Mason; and two great grandchildren.  Other survivors include her sister-in-law and nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services for Amy Jo Marshall will include a Memorial Service at 10:00 am, Friday, May 10, 2024  at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas.  Dr. Byron McWilliams and Suzanne Wipplinger will officiate.   

For those who have asked about memorial contributions to honor Amy Jo, the family suggests donating to First Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas or a charity of your choice.