Jo Anne Bars Huser

Jo Anne Bars Huser of Carlsbad NM passed away Monday, April 8 at Lakeview Christian Home, Heaton House.

Jo Anne was born in Columbia, South Carolina on October 11, 1946 to Joseph (Joe) and Geneva Haithcock, relocating with her family to Carlsbad in 1959 after a short stay in Texas.

Jo Anne graduated from Carlsbad Senior High School in 1965. She started her lifelong career as a hair stylist through the DECA program during her school years.

In 1965 she married Logan Robert (Bobby) Bars, who passed away in 1986. Jo Anne and Bobby were active officers and participants in the Carlsbad Modified Midget Club, racing micro midgets both locally and in other areas including Logansport Indiana, Amarillo TX; and El Toro California. Their only child, Keri Leigh Bars Soules was born during this time and soon began traveling to races along with her parents and many friends.

After Bobby's death Jo Anne moved to Abilene Texas, continuing her career as a hairdresser; then married Roger Huser, relocating to Elk Falls Ranch in Pine, Co where he worked as a manager until the ranch sold 20 years later. She continued working, commuting down ranch roads and freeways for several years until her health deteriorated further. She had been deaf since age 2, a condition that worsened continuously affecting both her hearing and speech. She was one of the first adults to receive a cochlear ear implant. Jo Anne also developed Multiple Sclerosis in her 40's, and later a host of related illnesses. She led a very active life in spite of these ongoing issues, attributing her success in dealing with these health conditions to a lifelong faith in God, and continuing relationships through church everywhere they resided.

Jo Anne was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Mary Lee Haithcock (Tommy Lee) and Jeff Haithcock, and stepson Ron Huser. She is survived by daughter: Keri Leigh Bars Soules (Charles Soules); and step children: Beth Bender and husband, David, of Lubbock, Texas; Roger Huser, Il and wife, Kate, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Amy Gaines and husband, Les, of Grants, New Mexico; James Huser and wife, Daphne, of Indiana; Ron Huser of Odessa, Texas; Bill Huser and wife, Stephanie, of Indiana; sisters: Lisa Haithcock Suttle and Janet Haithcock McCullough (Charlie Young); grandchildren: Tianna Rodriguez Pierce (Andrew) and their four children; Jonathan Rodriguez (Kourtney) and their three children; Christopher Rodriguez (Marissa Valdez) and their three children; Keelin Riche' (Austen) and their two children; 15 step grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Survivors also include four nieces and nephews along with her best friends Connie Dunagan and Linda Tipton Callison.

The family would like to thank Lakeview Christian Home Heaton House for the excellent care Jo Anne received over the last few years. She told everyone how happy she was living at Lakeview.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, April 20 , 2024 at Lakeview Christian Chapel with Associate Pastor Kevin Pence, First Baptist Church Carlsbad, officiating.

Condolences may be expressed online at dentonwood.com