Audrey Jo Gibson Weaver

Audrey Jo Gibson Weaver, 82, passed away peacefully at home on November 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in Choctaw, OK. Jo lit up the room with her smile and laugh. She loved infinitely. She was the mom and friend everyone deserves. She was a God given blessing.

Jo was born on December 20, 1942, in El Dorado, AR to Richard “Dick” Parks Gibson and Vera Lucille Rogers Gibson, who preceded her in death. The oldest of three daughters, she moved to Coushatta with her family in 1950. Jo loved her 2 baby sisters, Paula Jean Gibson and Rene Gibson, who survive her. Jo married her high school sweetheart, Walter Riley Weaver, Jr, on July 14, 1959. They were married for 66 years until her passing. Together, they raised five children: Tammie May (Bob), Terrie Ford (Terry), Wally Weaver, Richard Weaver (Amy), and Sandee Miller (Ted), and adopted a chosen daughter Patti Woods (Riley). She was a devoted grandmother to 9 grandchildren: Robert May (Mary), Christin White, Stuart May (Allison), Glenn Ford (Nicole), Brian Ford (Charli), RJ Weaver (MaKenzie), Kimberlyn Currington (Trevor), Wyatt Weaver (Braelyn), and Stratton Miller. Jo smiled widely when visiting with her 12 great-grandchildren: Isaac May, Jared “JJ” May, Cadence White, Brooks White, Riley May, James May, Walker May, Spencer Ford, Andrew Ford, CJ Forester, Granger Weaver, Jonnie Currington, and was excited to be welcoming 2 more great-grandsons in 2026.

Jo attended Red River Parish schools. At Coushatta High School, she was an honor student, chosen for the homecoming court, served as drum major and majorette, as well as participating in Future Homemakers of America, band, and Pelican Girl’s State. Jo was Worthy Advisor of the Rainbow Girls organization in Coushatta. Jo earned her Bachelor of Science with a double major in Home Economics and English, with a minor in French from Northwestern State University (NSU). She was a member of the NSU Homecoming Court while raising a family during her college years. Jo taught elementary, middle, and high school for over 20 years in Red River and Rapides Parishes, LA. She taught for one year at The Douglas School in Columbus, GA during her husband Walter’s Army assignment at Ft. Benning, GA.

Jo was an accomplished seamstress and businesswoman. She owned and operated Jo’s Hy-Style Shoppe in Coushatta, LA, and Jo’s Bridal & Formal in Pineville, LA for many years. In addition, she worked the polls during elections and was a passionate supporter of the military, veterans, citizenship, and patriotism.

In 1997, Jo returned to NSU and obtained a Master of Education with a focus in Early Childhood. For seven years, she was proud to encourage her non-traditional college students in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at NSU to complete their education to improve their lives. She was director of the NSU Child Development Center for about two years. Known for her persistent guidance and encouragement, warm smile, and loving laugh, Jo had a lifelong impact on students and people of all ages.

Jo and Walter’s son, Wally, was born in 1964 after Jo contracted Rubella (German measles) during her pregnancy. Wally was born with vision and hearing loss, and other developmental challenges. Jo was most thankful for Mary Jane Matis, a speech therapist at Northwestern State University, who worked with Wally to first develop his speech. Later, while attending Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, Wally learned to read, write, complete math problems, use the phone book, and function somewhat independently. Jo never stopped pursuing opportunities to help Wally learn basic life skills and more.

Jo leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and service. She touched countless lives through her teaching and left her family with a model of strength, grace, and unconditional love. She traveled thousands of miles to visit family and cheer on her grandchildren in football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, band, and any other activity they pursued. Jo loved to pick them up and keep them through the summer months and take vacations. She loved those visits, both stateside and overseas, especially in support of the ones who were serving on active duty in the Army and Air Force. Closer to home, Jo delighted in spending time with her Alpha Delta Kappa sisters. She was known for her Louisiana cuisine, and her unwavering faith and kindness.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 23, from 12:00 p.m. until time of service at Kilpatrick Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1315 Ringgold Avenue, Coushatta, Louisiana. Jo’s Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pecan Grove Training Center, the facility where Wally lived for several years, at P.O. Box 3477, Pineville, LA 71360. Please honor Jo by wearing her favorite color, purple, or USA patriotic colors, red, white, and blue.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Robert May, Christin White, Stuart May, Brian Ford, Glenn Ford, RJ Weaver, Kimberlyn Currington, Wyatt Weaver, and Stratton Miller.