Jo Ann McNatt

Jo Ann Obituary

Clemson, SC

Jo Ann McNatt, 90, of Clemson passed away peacefully at Clemson Downs Area Retirement Center following a lengthy illness on Sunday October 6, 2024.

Jo Ann was born in Atmore, Alabama, the daughter of the late Fred Littleton and Lillie Burleson McNatt. She moved to Clemson at age 8, grew up on Riggs Drive and graduated from Calhoun Clemson High School in 1952. She earned her Bachelor’s

Degree from Furman University, her Masters Degree from Emory University and her PhD from UNC Chapel Hill. Prior to coming to Clemson University, she taught in the Fulton County Georgia school system. She started teaching French at Clemson University in 1965 and did so until her retirement as an Associate Professor Emeritus of French and Spanish. 

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Fred McNatt and her partner of over 40 years, John Lawson.

Jo Ann was engaged in the university and the community in Clemson. She was a faithful longtime member of Clemson United Methodist Church and a devoted member of the church choir. She loved to sing and participated in the Foothills Chorale for many

years. She actively supported her church, her sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa, and the Girl Scouts. She was an active member in many organizations in the Clemson Community and beyond.

Jo Ann was an excellent teacher and loved students. She was an example of excellence in teaching for all of us. She was a member of many organizations related to her passion for teaching French, including the American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Modern Language Association (MLA), American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Jo Ann loved sharing the French Language with her students, often chaperoning for their study abroad trips. International students brought her added joy and she was always opening her home to help bring a family experience to the international students at Clemson University.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday October 12, 2024, at 4 pm at Clemson United Methodist Church with Reverend Tommy Wilkes officiating.

Interment will take place at the Old Stone Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemson United Methodist Church.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, SC 29630.