Jo Holley

Ida Jo Holley, 94, of Lampasas, TX, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024.  She was born on March 4, 1930, in Cherokee, Texas to Ben and Esther Ray Broyles.  She was the sixth of seven children.  Jo graduated from Cherokee High School as Salutatorian of her class in 1948.  After high school, she attended business school in Brownwood, Texas.

Jo married Otis Hopson in 1950 in San Saba, Texas.  After selling their place in San Saba County, Otis and Jo bought the Charles Cole ranch on the Lampasas River.  This was the beginning of the Rocking H Ranch.  Otis was forced to seek outside work in the early 1960s due to a severe drought.  He was tragically killed on the job in Kiowa, Oklahoma on November 3, 1960.  With three young children, Shirlene, Britt, and Hilton, Jo continued the farming and ranching operations.

On November 16, 1962, Jo married Bill Holley from Florence, Texas.  In 1963, they had their daughter, Chris.  Along with running the ranch, Bill was an auctioneer.  He worked in many sale barns throughout Texas.  Jo maintained the responsibilities of home and children as well as sustaining the day-to-day operations of the ranch.  In subsequent years, Jo joined Bill and was employed by both Belton and Lampasas Livestock Auctions as the master ticket writer. 

In 1980, Jo and Bill bought the Lampasas Livestock Auction.  Jo was an integral part of the administrative and personnel decisions.  On sale day, she enjoyed her relationships with the buyers, sellers, and associates in the office.  Also, Bill and Jo were instrumental in the success of the Lampasas Youth Livestock Association.  They loved encouraging the youth for their hard work on their projects and receiving a profitable reward.  Bill and Jo were married for 44 years.

Jo loved being a cheerleader for her children's and grandchildren's activities and interests.  She rarely missed an opportunity to be an encourager for her family.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lampasas and served on the Bereavement and Finance Committees.  She was a member of the Thursday Luncheon Club and served on the board of Central Texas College.  Also, she volunteered in the precinct of Kempner as a poll worker during elections.  Jo was a contributor and advocate for the Cherokee Boys Home, First United Methodist Boys Home in Waco, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Jo was preceded in death by her husbands, Otis Hopson and Bill Holley, and her son, Britt Hopson.  Also, her brothers, Delworth, Alton, Bill Ray Broyles, and sister, Wanda Houston.

She is survived by her daughter, Shirlene (Al) Bishop of Spicewood, Texas; son, Hilton (DeMar) Hopson of Lampasas; daughter, Chris (Jim) Whorley of Temple; daughter-in-law, Myrlanne Hopson Davis of Kempner and her brother, Ben (Sue) Broyles of New Braunfels; her grandchildren, Allyson Winslow and Ryan Bishop, Misty Hallisey and Monica Wykes, Chad and Chase Hopson, Jason and Braxton Harris, Krista Reynolds, Heath Hopson, Marshall Whorley, and Holley Yazbeck; her great-grandchildren, Kate, Jack and Elle Winslow, Camille, Caroline, Corder and Mary Catherine Bishop, Brooke and Cameron Hallisey, Brogan and Sydni Wykes, Braeden, Avery and Bry Hopson, Chance and Carter Hopson, Mackenzie and Emerson Harris, Collins and Bentley Harris, James Buchannan Whorley and Jo Elizabeth Whorley.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel Lampasas.  Services will be on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11 am, at Lampasas Methodist Church.  Graveside services will follow at 3 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery.