Mary Joan Canner, 86, of Seminole, Florida, passed away on September 13, 2018. Mary Jo was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and attended Ben Davis High School where she was a member of the Drama Club and was in the church choir. She was married to Truman “Red” Canner for sixty-eight years after meeting him in the church where her father was a Deacon. Mary Jo, truly loved Jesus. She passed away at home with her husband by her side and with her daughter there.
Mary Jo worked as a cosmetologist and worked from home so that she could always be there for her family. Family was her number one priority and everyone knew it, Mom also taught cosmetology and for a short time worked in a lawyer’s office. She was a Navy wife during the Korean War.
She loved to dance and also loved movies and music. Mary Jo always had an unconditional love for anyone she met and also had a very good sense of humor and loved to laugh. Mary Jo and Red were also people that would go visit their friends or church members in nursing homes. They would decorate their rooms for the holidays and spent time with them before they passed. She loved to throw parties and always made time for friends. She loved all of the holidays and loved everyone to get together on Thanksgiving. She always had everyone hold hands for the prayer.
Mary Jo and Red took many trips in their motor home visiting every state in the continental United States and the also visited Alaska and Hawaii. She spent five weeks touring Europe and had taken over twenty cruises traveling to all ports of call.
She was also a very involved mother in her children’s activities. Mary Jo loved to sew and was a band Mom for Stephanie and Chris, helping with the sewing needs of the band. She attended every school or church function that she was able to that included her kids or grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Graves; mother, Viola Stein Graves; sisters, Carol Jean Swenke and Sandy Armentrout; and her daughter, Cindy Canner. She is survived by her husband, Truman “Red” Canner; her children, Richard and his wife Beth, Stephanie and her husband Ricky and Christopher and his wife Lori; ten grandchildren and fourteen grandchildren. She also always said she had two adopted sons, Housh and Hank.
A memorial service is scheduled for 4:00PM on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Clearwater First Assembly of God Church. The church is located at 1739 S M.L.K. Jr. Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756.
My Aunt MaryJo was a remarkable and giving person who really cared about people. Even though through the years we did not see each other, when we talked it was like yesterday. Mary Jo made a difference in my life in so many ways. Mary Jo made me feel like one of her own. I spent a lot of time at their house, I went to Richard and Cindy’s summer school events, Halloween parties, pool and birthday parties, etc. She would give me odd jobs (dusting all her nic nacs) around her house so I could earn money to buy school clothes. I was blessed with two aunts (Mary Jo and Goldie) who loved to style my hair (perms, Bob Cuts and make me clothes. Mary Jo made sure I looked good for my graduation picture and gave me a bouffant hairdo, which I still have the picture today. And to top that off, Mary Jo took both Richard and I out to the Kapok Tree Restaurant, which was a big deal! I can’t express the gratitude and respect I have for my Aunt Mary Jo. Even though I was her niece, she made me feel like I was her daughter. Every Sunday all my aunts and uncles would go to my grandma Canner’s house and we all played croquet, and a bunch of different games and have dinner. It was the best of times and surely missed. Heaven is having a big party cause they gained a beautiful angel with the BIGGEST HEART!!
Love you so much Aunt Mary. I remember getting your post cards and Christmas cards each year, when you would come to Indiana to visit every year.When you and Grandma Carol would get together and just laugh and laugh. We miss you all so much and I know your laughing once again with Grandma in Heaven. Love you, Bloom Family