Jo Ann Watson Larkins, age 92, of Burns, TN passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Born June 18, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Jody Ethel Watson and Bessie Inez Ethridge Watson of Dickson, TN.
Jo Ann graduated from William James High School in White Bluff and shortly after attended beautician school. For a short time she then worked at Castner Knott in downtown Nashville before in November of 1953 she married the love of her life, Stanley Roth Larkins, and began her career as a wife, homemaker, and mother.
After a short stay in South Bend, Indiana, Jo Ann, Stanley, and their sons Bruce and Steven moved to Kingston, TN, so Stanley could accept a position at Oak Ridge National Laboratories. Jo Ann and Stanley remained there 55 years until they returned to their home in Burns, TN, in 2015.
Jo Ann loved her life in Kingston in her home overlooking the Tennessee River and her little neighborhood on Island Lane where she made many wonderful, life-long friends. She was always involved with her church, volunteering with the church pantry and sewing room. She enjoyed attending ladies’ Bible studies and anytime the church doors were open, she was there.
But outside of taking care of her family, Jo Ann was probably best known for her creativity and her crafts. She made beautiful pinecone wreaths and corn husk dolls for nativity scenes. She walked the shores of the Tennessee River to gather pieces of driftwood that she polished to make outdoor decorations. And she used her skills as a seamstress to create all sorts of home decorations, as well as sewing many of her own clothes. In addition to all that, she enjoyed being a catcher for the Kingston community ladies softball team.
Jo Ann is survived by her son Steven Roth Larkins of Johnson City, and her grandchildren, Daniel Scott Larkins, Arthur James Larkins, Sarah Elizabeth Roth Larkins, and David Stanley Roth Larkins. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Kayden James Larkins, Kaylee Nicole Larkins, Julianah Kate Larkins, Jonah Dale Moss, Zoey Elizabeth Turner, and Emma Serenity Larkins. Jo Ann is also survived by two nieces, Patricia Hutcheson Barrow and Debbie Thompson Collins; three nephews, Brooks Duke, Randy (Drake) Duke, and Brad Duke; and great nieces and nephews Charlotte Collins Davis, Jessica Barrow Colón, Rebekah Duke-Crockett, Katie Duke Scruggs, Daniel Duke, Andrew Toombs, Jody Duke, and Evan Neal.
In addition to her parents, Jo Ann is preceded in death by her husband Stanley, her son Bruce Thomas Larkins, her grandson, Nathan Thomas Larkins, and her sisters Mary Jean Watson Thompson and Virginia Esteline Watson Duke.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 3 PM from the Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Wes Sesler officiating. Place of rest will be in the Dickson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, April 5th, from 2 PM until time of service.
Services are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home, Dickson, TN (615)446-2808. Taylorsince1909.com
For more obituaries visit https://dicksoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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