Joyce Ann (Jo) Stallings, 85, returned to her heavenly home on Friday, June 5, 2026, after a brave and long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jo of Salem, Illinois, was born on March 7, 1941, in Pope County, near Ozark, Illinois, the only child of Lloyd Ray and Alma E. (Maxwell) Smith. Jo married George Roger Chitty on March 27, 1959, in the chapel of Harlingen Air Force Base in Harlingen, Texas.
During their 25 years of marriage, they were blessed with the birth of five children. Keri Jo Garrett and husband Dan of O’Fallon, Kathi Sue Rhodus and husband Tim of Carlinville, Kelly Lynn Cobetto and husband Willie of Hillsboro, and Michael Craig Chitty and wife Shelley of Borden, IN, and daughter Julie Ann Chitty.
Also surviving are granddaughters, Mallory Prindable and husband Alex, Hannah Seifer and husband Clay, Emily Rork, and Annie Rhodus. Surviving grandsons include Quinn Milner and wife Hana, Trevor Rhodus and wife Jess, Adam Rork, Ethan Chitty and wife Caylee, Logan Chitty and wife Anna, Cade Chitty and wife Taylor, Luke Chitty and wife Syndey. Jo was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Harrison Cook, Ayla Chitty, Cameron Chitty, Lenora Chitty, David Chitty, Bennett Chitty, and Liam Seifer.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Ray and Kate (Craig) Smith, John and Mary Ann (Chrisman) Maxwell, step-grandmother, Matilda Baker Maxwell, her daughter Julie Ann Chitty, as well as aunts and uncles who added to Jo’s joy as a child.
On November 27, 1992 Jo was married to Charles Robert Stallings of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, who brought to the union his children Marcie Woytus and husband Bob of St. Charles, MO and Jamey Stallings and wife Kim of Papillion, NE and grandchildren Amanda Kindler and husband Adam, Dana Jacques and husband Mike, Tyler Woytus, Meghan Stallings, Kathleen Murphy and husband Rigel, and Rebecca Stallings along with twelve great grandchildren Kayla Kindler, Hannah Kindler, Morgan Kindler, Josie Kindler, Mason Jacques, Levi Jacques, Nick Neeley, Nate Neeley, Parker Stallings, Calliope Neeley, Evelyn Murphy, and Adeline Murphy.
Jo was a graduate of Carbondale Community High School and attended SIU-C until her marriage. Following a number of leadership roles at Salem First Baptist Church, one being the Church Clerk from 1983-2004, Jo worked many years at Salem National Bank and retired after 16 years of service with the City of Salem as the City Clerk in 1996. Following retirement, Jo was appointed to serve on the Salem Planning Commission and was a charter member of the SCHS Academic Foundation. She and Chuck enjoyed traveling during retirement and cherished time spent with family and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Baptist Church in Salem, Illinois, with Pastor Andy DeWitt officiating. There will be a time of visitation at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be private and held at the Wolf Creek Cemetery near Marion, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Salem First Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the church or Crouse Funeral Home, which is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.
