Jo Ann (Wilson) McNair
October 7, 1934-August 24, 2017
Springfield, VA-

Jo Ann Wilson McNair, of Springfield, Virginia passed away after a brief illness on August 24, 2017.

Jo Ann was born on October 7, 1934 at Fort Benning, GA to the late Bea and Emmarene Wilson Brown. Married to her beloved husband, Major General (retired) Carl H. McNair, Jr. on October 26, 1957 at the Fort Benning Chapel, their first married assignment was to Taiwan which started them on 30 years of moves to many military assignments until Carl retired and they settled in Northern Virginia.
Jo Ann was the quintessential Army wife supporting her husband in his career and her children through the many relocations. She particularly enjoyed volunteering with Army Community Services, the American Red Cross and Officer's Wives Club. She enjoyed being the first lady when her husband commanded the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Jo Ann was an ardent supporter of anything West Point. Having been a cheerleader at Baker High School in Columbus, GA, she enjoyed cheering on Army football, especially at the Army-Navy Game.

In addition to her husband, Jo Ann is survived by her three children—Cynthia McNair Wood (Stephen) of Charleston, SC, Carl Herbert McNair, III (Alana) of Uniontown, PA and Courtney McNair Bulger (Patrick) of Herndon, VA. She had six grandchildren--Courtland Wood Colantonio (Trey) of North Bethesda, MD, Zachariah Taylor Wood (Grace Anne) Chicago, IL, Virginia Elizabeth Bulger, Emma Caroline Bulger, Rebecca Clark (Eric) of Masontown, PA and Carl Herbert McNair, IV of Uniontown, PA--and 4 great-grandchildren--Jamie, Eric Junior and Janessa Clark and Cooper Colantonio. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Ellen Thuston, of Virginia Beach, VA.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152. The family will be accepting visitors on Monday, August 28 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the NationalStroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Suite B, Centennial, CO 80112, www.stroke.org.

Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Aug. 27, 2017