Jo E Bond

Jo Evans Bond, 85, of Milford, Ohio died peacefully surrounded by family on February 23, 2023.

Originally from New Mexico, small town life didn’t suit her for long, she struck out to New York City in an effort to feed her free spirit. Along the way, she caught the eye of a Quaker woodworker from Kansas who won her over by singing in a barber shop quartet. Harvey Bond was to become the love of her life for the next 63 years.

JoMama, aptly named by her sons’ teen friends, was ever creative and funny. Quick with a one-liner or improv moment when things got too serious, she kept a crowd laughing. Her talents were put to work on the stage in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA where she acted for almost 20 years—including a play she wrote and directed.

Her first year in Ohio, she won an ACT award for her role as Ouiser in Steel Magnolias and critical acclaim for many other starring roles such as Grace in a Dayton Theatre Guild production of Grace and Glorie and “Big Mama” in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

In addition to her acting, she and Harvey returned to the old hobby of square dancing and enjoyed being a part of the Frontier Squares for more than eighteen years.

Jo is survived by her beloved husband Harvey; sons Greg, Barry (Melissa), and Clay (Emily); brother Davis; sister Martha; eight grandchildren; and seventeen great grandchildren. Always a student of the Bible and spiritual hymns, Jo was serenaded by her 107 year-old mother, Georgia Lou Aker, during her final days; sharing sweet readings of Psalms and hymns of praise brought joy to her last hours. She is preceded in death by her son Kyle Bond and father Carroll Evans.

There will be a Celebration of Jo’s life at Evans Funeral Home 741 Center Street Milford, Ohio 45150, Monday February 27, 2023. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM and go until time of funeral service at 12:00 PM with Reverend Jeff McClain officiating. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery 234 Center Street (State Route 126) Miamiville, Ohio 45147.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to Hospice of Cincinnati, (hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate), Otterbein Long-Term Care (Otterbein.org) or University of Cincinnati Gardner Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders (uchealth.com/foundation/donation) or Clermont Senior Services (clermontseniors.com) in her honor.