Jo Anne B. Wildman

Jo Anne Bell Wildman passed away at the age of 84, due to complications from an acute stroke on March 3, 2023 at 5:50am at Cypress Village Health Center near the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Jo, Jojo, or Jo Anne as her mother Louise Ralston Bell called her, is survived by her husband of 65 years, Arthur Mason Wildman, Sr. (85), son Arthur Mason Wildman, Jr. (64), daughter in law Rita Wildman, granddaughters Sherrie Scott, Joni Wildman, Drue Bagnal Goad, and great granddaughters, Brianna Lawley, Tara Scott and Alexis Scott.

Jo was born in Newport News, VA - 11/13/1938 to her parents William S. Bell and Louise Ralston Bell. The family owned a furniture store in Hilton Village and attended Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church. Jojo loved the water. On the shore of the James River, you'd be surprised to see an attractive, outgoing and athletic young lady haul an outboard motor up the riverbank to go boating regularly. That was Jo. She loved water skiing and fishing, and was active in sports like field hockey and tennis at Warwick High School, where she graduated in 1957. Jo attended Longwood College and studied nursing. She had a curious, detailed mind and put it to use helping others. She realized at a young age that she could learn to do most anything she set her mind to.

She met Arthur Mason Wildman in the 5th grade and they began dating in High School. The happy couple were married on April 17th, 1958 at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, VA. They were blessed with 65 years together.

While Arthur studied at the University of Virginia business school, Jo gave birth to their first child, Arthur (Art) Mason Wildman Jr. in 1958. Arthur Wildman Sr. would go on to become the youngest agent for State Farm Insurance at the time. Their first home was a small rancher on 78th street in the Newmarket area of Newport News, VA. In 1962, they welcomed a daughter, Sheri Wildman. Jo relished designing and sewing clothing and toys for her young family. She had adept hands and impeccable taste. In 1964, they moved to the Deep Creek area and built a custom L shaped house designed by Arthur's brother and talented architect, Walter Wildman. Jo was an active mother and taught her children to respect others, and appreciate life's ups and downs. She took Art and Sheri to Sunday school, walked them to the bus stop, and drove them to many arts and music classes after school. She passed on her love of the water and athletics by introducing them to swimming, sailing, tennis, and golf at a young age. Jo educated her children in boating safety via classes with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Jo and Arthur encouraged their children's enthusiasm for sailing and bought their first sailboat. The family held a meeting and came up with the name “Wild Wind”, which became Jo's legacy.

In 1970, the family moved to a riverfront home in Hilton Village, so Jo could care for her ailing mother Bessie Bell. During this time, Jo took classes at Christopher Newport College and became a nurse LPN. Jo used her nursing skills to care for Bessie with compassion. Bessie passed away at 86, five years later. Jo continued nursing at Riverside Hospital for many years. She was rather detail oriented and had an aptitude for electronics, which sparked interest in Art Junior's career as an ET in the Coast Guard. In 1979 she got a Radio Operators license from the FCC, then built and soldered together a Heath Kit Depth Sounder for the family sailboat which worked flawlessly! In 1980, at the age of 42, Jo earned her wings! She took classes and solo flights to become a licensed Small Aircraft Pilot. She enjoyed flying for several years–telling stories about stinging cold temperatures in the cockpit and the joy of overcoming fear and discomfort to learn something new.

Jo was a classy, proud and busy lady with fierce determination to live life to the fullest. She joined the Hilton Village Junior Women's Club, played bridge and put on a few plays & fashion shows with her friends. When their children were grown, Jo and Arthur renamed three more sailboats “Wild Wind,” which they used to explore the rivers and bays from the Warwick and Hampton Yacht Clubs. They spent free time sailing and cruising the Chesapeake Bay with their close group of lifelong friends. Their home is filled with farflung pictures of sailboats, lighthouses, waterscapes and sunsets over their many travels with friends and family.

In 2001, Jo and Arthur moved to Glen Laurel in Clayton, NC to be nearer to Sheri, and her new daughter, Drue Bagnal Goad. Jo and Sheri were very close and Jo took an active role in Drue's life from a young age. Grandma Jojo always had a Chicklet in her pocket. When Arthur retired, they took up golf and enjoyed their new house on the 12th fairway. Jo hosted many holiday dinners at her lovely home decorated with antiques from her grandfather's J.H. Bell furniture store. Her love of interior design was evident in her home. She handmade many of her curtains and quilts.

Later in her life, Jo's rheumatoid arthritis would prevent her from enjoying her sewing and needlepoint. She fought ovarian cancer at the age of 74, a battle she would win for 10 more years. In 2016, her best friend and daughter Sheri Wildman passed away at 54 from lung cancer, having never smoked but perhaps related to her asthma history. Jo carried Sheri's memory with her everywhere, spreading her daughter's joy and creativity through her own stories. Jo spent her last days catching up with friends, recounting her early days on the James River, and continuing to love and care for her husband and family. She was the family historian; immensely proud of her heritage and family. She will be remembered for her own legacy as a devoted wife, loving mother, attentive friend, storyteller, curious traveler, and wise grandmother.

Flowers and gifts aren't necessary. Jo would prefer donations to the cancer or stroke research charity of your choice... https://www.classy.org/blog/cancer-charities/https://www.stroke.org/en/

Surviving friends who attend churches in Clayton/Wake Forest NC or Hilton Village/Newport News VA, might make a contribution in Jo Wildman's honor. https://www.gracehavenfellowship.org/about-us/ https://standrews-episcopal.org/

Sailors and other local friends may want to support the downtown Hampton Yacht Club's Junior Sailors program. Plans are to have a memorial in celebration of Jo Wildman's life at HYC this summer.