Jo Dana Wood was born August 7, 1953 in Little Rock to the late Herbert E. Mitchell and Mary Jo Mitchell. Jo Dana was called to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 3:12 a.m. with her husband of 53 years, Ricky, holding her hand and her daughter, Shelly, and her brother, Steve, nearby. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Mary Jo Mitchell and older brother, Michael A. Mitchell.

As a young girl Jo lettered two years in tennis at Forrest Heights. She was a Girl Scout and earned many badges. From those experiences she learned a deep love of the outdoors and the beauty of God's creations. At Sylvan Hills High School she became Captain of the drill team her Senior year. She was awarded the gold medal for mechanical drawing two years in a row. She learned to fly fish on her honeymoon and became an avid fisherwoman. Jo also loved riding their Harley's across the country, from Key West, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana to Montana and to the Canadian border. Jo Dana retired from Southwestern Bell and AT&T with 30 years of service. She worked her way up from operator to frame tech, then switch tech and lastly, 1st line supervisor. She ran for her union's presidency and eventually won a hardfought election, but only after appealing to the Federal Courts who forced a new election which she handily won.

Jo is survived by her husband, Ricky Wood; daughters, Sally Jo Pryor and her husband Dwayne of Jacksonville and Shelly Marie Worden of Quitman; four grandchildren, Glory Jo Horn, Katy Pryor, Jamie Worden, Michelle Worden; two great-grandchildren, Kimber Ann Stage and Lana Faye Woodrome; sisters, Gina Hinkson and her husband Johnny, Cheryl Head; brother, Steve Mitchell and many nieces and nephews.

Jo Dana and her husband Ricky are both faithful members of Stanfill Baptist Church. Jo loved her church home and was loved in return. Jo loved Jesus and will be missed by her brothers and sisters in Christ.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2026 at Stanfill Baptist Church 12905 Fortson Road, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076 with interment to follow in Stanfill Cemetery.

Jo had the brightest blue eyes and a captivating smile. She had a radiant beauty, inside and out. Her God and Savior called Jo to be with Him and for that we are thankful. All of us who knew and loved her will miss Jo….until we meet again.