Josephine "Jo" Runnels

Josephine “Jo” Runnels, 86, of Bartlesville, died Monday, July 28, 2025, in Bartlesville. Jo Garner Goodson Runnels was born on September 24, 1938. Jo and her siblings grew up in Gravelly, Arkansas, and she attended Fourche Valley School. After graduating from high school on May 17th, 1957, she married Jake (David) Goodson on May 24, 1957, in Poteau, OK, and they had three children together. They lived in Danville, Ola, and Russellville, Arkansas, as well as Muskogee, Tulsa, Owasso, Wann, and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, throughout their life. She worked as a server at the Sutphens BBQ Restaurant in Tulsa for many years and later on managed the Traveler’s Motel in Bartlesville until retirement. After Jake’s unexpected death in October of 1978, she continued caring deeply for all of her family. She married Henry Runnels on March 25, 1981. They resided in Bartlesville and managed the motel together until they were able to complete their dream log cabin home on 80 acres in Wann, OK. They loved to travel together and went on many road trips throughout the years. Jo loved her family and it was evident by the way she had pictures lining the walls and shelves in her home. She was always available to care for her parents, cousins, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jo loved to read and had countless numbers of books that she shared with family and friends. She also loved to sew and crochet. Jo specifically enjoyed making dolls, doll clothes, and afghans, and generously gifted those to others. She loved to read her Bible and pray for her family every day. One of her favorite places was sitting on the porch of their log cabin. Whenever you came to visit them, at some point, you’d find yourself enjoying the picturesque and peaceful view from the cabin’s front porch. She was known by lots of names: Jo, Mom, Mama, Grandma, G’ette, Great Nannie, but she never liked being called Josephine. Henry and Jo served tirelessly at First Baptist Church of South Coffeyville and especially loved serving during VBS by providing snacks and cookies for the children. Jo always cared deeply for others. Jo is survived by her children, Jerry (Connie) Goodson, Sherre Kuehn and Terry (Joan) Goodson; siblings, Butch Garner, Ruth Bostick, Pauletta Tipton and Linda Tucker; six grandchildren, Jacob Goodson, David (Katherine) Kuehn, Michael (Debra) Kuehn, Teresa (Aaron) Reamy, Daniel Goodson and Terry (Tacie) Goodson Jr.; seventeen great-grandchildren, Sophia, Seraphina, Shyanna, Savannah, Sianna, Jacob, Jonathan, Kylie, Hadley, Rhett, Abigail, Ty, Shelby, Joshua, Tyler, Tinsley and Triston; and one great-great-grandson, Locklyn. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands and siblings, Roy, Clarence, Calvin, Odean, Emogene and Richard. Friends may sign the guest book on Thursday from 10-8 and Friday 9-12 at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Graveside services will be held on Friday, 2 p.m., at the Dewey Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Josephine "Jo" Runnels

September 24, 1938 - July 28, 2025