Jo Ann Parker Hoffman, 87, of Cuero, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2019 at the Redies Ranch in the home she built with her late husband, Charles.  She was surrounded in love by her family and dear friends.

She was born to parents Samuel Wyley Parker and Lillian Louise Randow Parker, on August 27, 1931 at home, on the outskirts of Houston.

She began playing the piano by ear at the age of 5, followed by lessons beginning at age 7 and by age 12 was playing regularly at her Methodist Church.  By age 15 she already had 7 piano students.  She graduated from Humble High School in 1949, third in her class.  She lost her father that summer, and purchased her first Steinway piano with the money left to her. She enrolled at the University of Houston to study Music and played in the marching band, which she loved.  While attending school she met her life partner, Charles Hoffman, an Engineering Major from Cuero.  They married June 2, 1951 at her church in Humble.  After his graduation, he accepted a position and they traveled all over the United States.  In that time she worked as a high school band teacher, legal secretary and even court reporter, where she mastered the art of "shorthand".  She loved it because no one else could read it. After 7 years on the road, they settled down in Houston where she returned to school at U of H and earned her Masters degree in Music.

They were blessed by an addition to their family, Charles "Andy" Hoffman, adopted in 1963.  Three years later, another blessing bestowed on them when they adopted Celia Ann.  Many years later, she opened her heart to yet another chosen child, her foster daughter, Mary Varnon Tompkins.

Jo Ann had the pleasure of doing what she was truly passionate about for a living.  She worked as a Piano Teacher, Professor, Musician, Singer and so much more for over 75 years.   She loved music, it was her life.  She made such an impact on countless people.  Her love for music put her in a lead role for an Operetta, singing and traveling the world with the Houston Symphony Choral and eventually finding her place with the Victoria Civic Choral for the last decade or more.

She was a devoted wife, loving mother/grandmother, an avid gardener and nature lover in every way.  Whether she was fishing, hunting, raising pet ducks or raccoons, or just sitting and creating charcoal sketches, she appreciated all of it.  Her greatest joy came from being with her family.  She treasured having dinner with her daughter and friends in San Antonio, attending as many of her granddaughters swim meets as she could and watching her grandson play football/baseball night after night, always cheering them on to succeed. Education was top priority to her, and she made that well known by supporting those she loved in every way to achieve their goals.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughter, Celia Hoffman Altman and her husband, Paul N. Altman of New Braunfels; her son, Charles Andrew Hoffman of Big Spring, her precious grandchildren, Nicole Ann Fernandez of New Braunfels,  Kyle Andrew Hoffman of Big Spring, and his sister, Mallory Brooke Hoffman along with their mother, Dina Jo Hoffman, both of Cuero, her step granddaughter, Mia T. Altman of San Antonio, her foster daughter Mary Varnon Tompkins of Surfside Beach, SC, her 3 boys, and 3 beautiful step great grandchildren, Carlie, Haley and Bobby. The family would like to say a very special thank you to Robbie Dodd, who was Jo Ann's best friend and caregiver for the last 3 years.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, June 7, 2019 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Cuero.  Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery followed by a reception at St. Mark's fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Organ Fund.

Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.