Jo Ann Checkovich, affectionately known to her friends and family as Jo, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025.  She was born December 3, 1945, in Kingsport, TN, the daughter of the late Daniel and Billie Joy Stafford.

Jo loved spending time with her family but was at her happiest just to be with her husband, John.  They were two peas in a pod since their wedding on May 24, 2001.  They loved to travel and while they didn’t go to faraway places a road trip to anywhere fed her soul.

Her love of all sports started at a young age, born from watching her brother Donnie play various sports - when she was not tormenting him by dancing in front of the TV he was trying to watch; and from watching her parents not only encourage the neighborhood children but coaching them with tips for improvement or transportation to and from sports practices and games.  That love of sports continued as she cheered for her beloved Gamecocks and any and all sports coached by her husband.  Jo supported Coach Check or “Coach”, as she lovingly called him, through wrestling tournaments, volleyball matches, track meets, and any other event they could find to watch together. 

Jo found peace writing poetry.  To her embarrassing surprise, General Huyser read a poem she wrote on the floor of Congress; once she overcame being the center of attention this became one of her proudest moments.  She loved to collect snowmen figurines that she displayed around her home all year.  Her kitchen was a place she found joy in preparing tantalizing meals for her family always asking “anything you want me to make for you?” – yes, each of us had our favorites from her tomato cucumber salad, to her pea and mushroom salad, and of course her cucumber and onion salad.  She is one of the few people that would actually use the unique pitchers she collected to add color and spice amidst her amazing meals.

Jo had two beautiful daughters, Jackie and Suzanne, who preceded her in death.  Jo leaves behind John, her loving husband of 23 years; her brother, Donnie Stafford; four step-children, ten grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Thompson’s Funeral Home (4720 Augusta Rd).  The family will receive friends following the service at the home she shared with her husband.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.