JoAnn “Jody’ Darby, 86, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the SOMC Hospice Center. Jody was born on September 3, 1937, in Portsmouth, the daughter of the late Forrest Joseph and Thelma Olive Synder Gibbs.
She was a member of Cornerstone Methodist Church and a 1956 graduate of PHS. A longtime member of the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion Auxiliary, Jody had worked at the former Alber’s Supermarket, Kresge and she retired from the former Mitchellace as a floor leader in the packaging department. She enjoyed spending time with family, sewing, doing word searches, and gardening when she was able.
Jody was preceded in death by her husband, William Ernest Darby, on September 6, 1982. The couple was married in Portsmouth on February 23, 1956.
She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Dianna M. Collier of Portsmouth; four grandchildren, Olivia Williams, Savanna Darby, William Mosely and David Darby; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Coco.
Jody was also preceded in death by her son, William Joseph Darby; and her sister and brother-in-law, Alberta and Maurice Hammond.
Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with the Rev. Perry Prosch officiating. Interment will follow in Scioto Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 A.M until the funeral hour.