Obituary of Jo Tarwater

Jo Alice Tarwater, Ed.D. Mrs. Tarwater, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother went to be with Christ the lord on Friday, July 30, 2010. Jo Alice Aiken Tarwater was born August 9, 1932 in Tampa, Florida and passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital after a brief but serious illness. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, she was also a distinguished educator who touched the lives of many people. She loved to learn and graduated as salutatorian from Tampa's Thomas Jefferson High School, then attended Florida State University. In 1951, she married James G. Tarwater. They had four children, Michael, Barbara, Sam, and Jim. After her children were born, she returned to her studies, graduating with honors from Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida where she also received her Masters' Degree. She continued her education at Nova University, earning her doctorate in Educational leadership. Dr. Tarwater was indeed a leader in education, serving first as a teacher at Ferry Pass Elementary, as Curriculum Coordinator at Pine Meadow Elementary, and then as principal of Barrineau Park Elementary and Myrtle Grove Elementary. In 1990, she was chosen to be the founding principal of Hellen Caro Elementary School until she became Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for the Escambia County School District. She was a member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women educators. During her long and remarkable career, she received numerous awards including being named a Florida Regional Principal of the Year and University of West Florida's Outstanding Alumna. However long her list of accomplishments, they do not speak to the true impact which Jo Tarwater made on the lives she touched. She was a wonderful loving mother and wife and a true Christian woman. Surviving is her husband of 59 years, James G. Tarwater, of Pensacola, FL, their children, Michael Tarwater and wife Ann, of Charlotte, NC; Barbara Tarwater, of Pensacola, FL; Dr. Sam Tarwater and wife Jeanne of Dothan, Al; James G. Tarwater, Jr. and wife Anne of Franklin, TN; sisters, Martha Falgout of Miami, Fl, Frances Sanders, of Atlanta, GA and Cinda Ferrell of Tampa, Fl; grandchildren, Kathryn T. Pittman and husband, Dr. Daniel M. Pittman of Dothan, Al, Allison T. Bissette and husband Ben Bissette and Michael E. Tarwater all of Charlotte, NC; Samantha JoAlice Harris of Gainesville, Fl; Joseph, Andrew and Ruth Ann Tarwater of Dothan, Al; Eliza, Jerry and Martha Rose Tarwater of Franklin, TN; and great grandchildren Alice and Jack Pittman of Dothan, Al. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Hellen Caro Elementary School, 12551 Meadson Road Pensacola, FL 32506.