Obituary of Jo Carole Harding-Ferris

Jo Carole Jones Harding-Ferris, Jodie, was a true Fort Worth native and lifelong resident. She passed away peacefully on Saturday August 31, 2024, from natural causes, at 89 years old, just six weeks shy of her 90^th birthday. Jodie was a life long, active member of several civic and social organizations: Forest Hill Elementary PTO, Tarrant County Medical Auxiliary, Fort Worth Junior Woman’s/Woman’s Club, Women’s Circle at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Colonial Country Club, and Thank God It’s Tuesday (TGIT) Bridge Club.

Jodie was known for her kind heart, sharp wit, and unwavering dedication to and support of her family and community. She was born of humble beginnings to Ola Marie (Garrett) and Gordon H. Jones, and raised with her beloved sister, Gordon Lee (Glee) Jones Baker

Born October 18, 1934, Jodie grew up as a Baptist, became Presbyterian, and converted to Catholicism in 1984. Throughout her life Jodie had enormous faith in God, family, and friends. She truly “walked the talk” and leaned on her Faith throughout her long and sometimes challenging life. 

Jodie was educated in the Fort Worth public school system and developed a love for music early on, playing the violin as a member of the All-City High School Orchestra. After graduating from Paschal High School, Jodie attended Arlington State College, later known as UTA and graduated Summa Cum Laude, from TCU, with a B.S. in medical technology in 1956.

Jodie’s work life was diverse and successful no matter the career choice and skills required in each of her roles as a working mother of three daughters. She began her career as a medical lab technician at Harris Hospital, Arlington Memorial Hospital, Carter Blood Bank and established and ran the lab in her husband’s practice, Family Physician’s Clinic, in Fort Worth. Jodie also enjoyed many years at the Dallas Apparel Market in sales and modeling.

Jodie married Robert Joseph Harding, MD in 1957 and they had three beautiful daughters, Michelle Streck (Fred), Lori Johnson (Matt), and Leslie Distler (Richard). Jodie and Bob’s  life together started at First Methodist Church and Harris Methodist Hospital. Together, they raised their three daughters and provided them with an excellent education at Trinity Valley School and Fort Worth Country Day School. Each daughter graduated college,  two from TCU and one from LSU. Jodie and her family had a full, loving life of family gatherings, ski trips, ranch activity, and home businesses, Roc’n Doc Bakery Jewelry. Jodie and Bob had wonderful times together in the medical social community in Fort Worth for many years, partnered in bridge together and a host of other meaningful life adventures. Jodie was there for everyone and was always willing to help, defend, love, forgive and lead when times were challenging.

Tragically, Bob died when Jodie was 43. This was a turning point in Jodie’s life, her strength, bravery, and strong faith in God allowed her to rise from this tragedy and succeed as a realtor/broker in Fort Worth for almost 40 years. Her daughters leaned on Jodie and supported her through the loss of their father.

The next chapter of Jodie’s incredible life came about when she met Jack Ferris, a widower, whom she married in 1984. Jack was a fun-loving person and brought genuine joy and happiness to Jodie and her daughters’ lives for 23 years. Jack brought 4 children and many grandchildren to her life who added love and memories immeasurably over time for both families. Jack passed away in 2007 from Parkinson’s disease and was buried next to his first wife, Katie.

Jodie was a huge fan and season ticket holder of the Texas Rangers. Many vacations were spent watching Bob’s beloved Chicago Cubs throughout their life together.

Jodie is survived by her three daughters and nine grandchildren, Fred Streck IV, Bob Streck MD (Brennan), Joe Streck (Marlowe), Sam Streck DO (Fiance Jessika), Garrett Johnson (Erin), Brenna Johnson, and Ivy, Kimberlee, and Dacy Distler and great granddaughter Caroline “Rory” Streck.

Jodie is remembered as a brave, resilient, accepting, strong, loving person who touched the lives of everyone she met. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and the community she loved so dearly.

Rosary & Visitation: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 2024
Location: Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76114

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 9, 2024
Location: St. Andrew Catholic Church, 3312 Dryden Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76109   

Burial: Laurel Land Memorial Park

Reception: 1:15 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2024, at The Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102

In Lieu of flowers Jodie chose the following charities:

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation:  www.breakthrought1d.org

Fort Worth Animal Care and Control: www.adoptapet.com

Rutledge Cancer Foundation: www.rutledgecancerfoundation.org/tributes-jodie-ferris/