Jo Ann Craver Bodenheimer

Jo Ann Craver Bodenheimer, 90, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home after a brief illness.

The youngest of eight sisters, Jo Ann was born January 5, 1936, in Davidson County, to Ranzo Valus Craver and Clara Ella Everhart Craver. Her early life was spent admiring the wood working skills of her father who worked for one of the many furniture plants in Thomasville. She loved to spy on him in his backyard workshop where he built furniture for friends and neighbors to see what pieces he was building next. Her mother was very protective of her kitchen and would not let Jo Ann in, so she became a bit of a tomboy playing outside and climbing trees.

During high school Jo Ann took her first job working at the local movie theater where she built friendships, got paid to watch movies and ate lots of popcorn. She looked back on these times with great fondness and often spoke of them.

Jo Ann readily admitted that she had a thing for men in uniform and was smitten with Jerry Bodenheimer the first time she saw him in his Army uniform. Once married, she accompanied him to Texas and Alabama for duty tours and helped care for his two children, Debra and Mark. The family moved back to North Carolina once they decided to have children of their own, David and Paul. Jo Ann was a dedicated homemaker who faithfully rose early each morning to prepare breakfast for Jerry and the kids always making sure to have something to get them going in the morning and see them off to work and school.

When Jerry retired, he and Jo Ann spent time at their beach cottage until Jerry started a second career in Real Estate. Jo Ann helped Jerry any way she could, even accompanying him on appraisal appointments to hold one end of the measuring tape. She was very dedicated to helping her life-long companion be a success.

Her later years were spent relaxing, spending time with her grandchildren, watching her favorite soap opera on TV and having lunch with her two best friends every Friday.

In addition to her parents, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Mack Bodenheimer; one son, Jerry Mark Bodenheimer; and her seven sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, David Bodenheimer (Emily), and Paul Bodenheimer (Tonya); four grandchildren, Sam, Ben, Lilly, and Lauren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 12PM Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller, Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. Ben Sloan officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home 101 Hospice Ln. Winston-Salem, NC 27103