Jo Ann Helton (JoAnn), 89, affectionately known as Mom, Mamaw, and José, was called home to her Lord on July 12, 2026, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and more to those who knew and loved her.

JoAnn was born December 9, 1936, in Big Cabin, Oklahoma, to Josiah Sylvanious Rector and Dorothy Mae Stanley. She was the eldest of their two children, and a proud big sister to Jeanie. In 1955, JoAnn graduated from Sapulpa High School.

She married her sweetheart, Newman Rowe Helton (Buck), on October 13, 1961, at Grace Pentecostal Church in Kiefer, Oklahoma. They were married for nearly 65 years.

Buck and JoAnn raised their two sons, Jerry and Mike, in their hometown of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. They are blessed with 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. While her hands were full raising her two boys, her heart was full enjoying her grandchildren. A little bit of a “JoAnn” of all trades, she had many jobs, including: Cains Coffee, Liberty Glass, OG+E, Bartlett Collins, American Airlines, Meadow Gold, and Sapulpa Health Food Store (where she was her own best customer). She learned the ins and outs of managing a family business at Hinshaw RV Sales, which led to her and Buck owning and operating Helton RV Sales. But she would say her favorite job was supervising her grandkids at Tony’s Restaurant in her own kitchen. On Sunday mornings, you could find Buck and JoAnn in the right center pew of Beams of Light Church in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She took her Christian walk very seriously through personal and organized Bible study and discipling people from small children to young adults her entire life. Her greatest joy was knowing that her children were walking in the truth (3 John 1:4).

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Josiah S. Rector and Dorothy M. Hinshaw, stepfather Howard I. Hinshaw, stepsister Linda J. Larason, stepbrother Delbert R. Hinshaw, grandson Chad Helton, grandson Jesse Helton, and several other family members. 

She is survived by her husband, Buck; son Jerry Helton and wife Karen, son Mike Helton and wife Robin; grandchildren Hannah Marcum and husband Shawn, Shawn Helton and wife Chancie, Brandon Helton, Grace Helton, and Tyler Helton and wife Aubree; great-grandchildren Jack, Emmitt, Brady, Nolan, Romani, and Bryson; sister Jeanie Rollins and husband Darrell; and other family members. 

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., on Wednesday, July 15 at Traditions Funeral Chapel in Kellyville. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, July 16 at Beams of Light Church, 101 E Moman Ave., Sapulpa, OK 740696

Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral and Cremation Services. 35 S Main, Kellyville, OK., 74039 918-247-7373