Jo Ann Jacobs

Jo Ann Schoolfield Jacobs, of Marietta, Georgia, died at home on June 4, 2022, following a long struggle with vascular dementia. Her daughter, Nancy Overholtzer, and Roger Smith, her son by another mother, were by her side. She was born October 31, 1936, in Spring City, Tennessee, where she graduated from Spring City High School and attended Tennessee Technological University. She loved her college experience and instilled in her daughter the value of higher education. Jo Ann was a beautiful child (Little Miss Spring City) and a beautiful woman. She married the love of her life, Vernie (Vernon) Edward Jacobs, on October 20, 1956, at the age of nineteen. Jo Ann started a 33-year career with the Hamilton County and Chattanooga City School systems. Jo Ann was part of the team that achieved accreditation for the school by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in the 1970s. Jo Ann loved working with kids and her community. She was the staff sponsor for the award-winning high school newspaper, The Sting. She took 4-year-old Nancy to her first political meet and greet for a gubernatorial candidate at the Chow Time diner. She and Vernon volunteered as Democratic Party poll watchers until they were in their seventies. Jo Ann was the campaign manager for Janice Boydston's successful run for the Chattanooga School Board in 1986. Jo Ann is survived by her daughter and only child, Nancy, her son-in-law, Jon, her brothers Lamar (Linda) Schoolfield of Acworth, Georgia, Douglas (Carolyn) Schoolfield of Paris, Tennessee, and her sister, June (Kenneth) Richmond of McEwen, Tennessee, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to Vernon, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved aunt, Billie Nolan. A memorial service is planned for August 6, 2022, at 1:30 in the afternoon at H.M. Patterson & Sons Funeral Home, Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30068. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in her memory to the Jo Ann S. and Vernie E. Jacobs Memorial Scholarship for graduates of Lookout Valley High School. Gifts to the scholarship should be made to the UC Foundation by calling 423-425-4057 or mailing to: University of Chattanooga Foundation, Inc. 615 McCallie Ave, Dept 6806 Chattanooga, TN 37403 Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com for the Jacobs family.