Orona, Jo Anna Brooks

Jo Anna Orona (Brooks) passed away on January 2, 2026 at the age of 91. She was born on June 18, 1934, to the late Joseph Acen and Evelyne (Leffingwell) Brooks.

She spent her childhood in a coal-mining town in rural West Virginia. After graduating high school, she joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where she proudly served our country for almost three years, and also met her husband, Louis Orona Jr. They married in 1955 and had 6 children together. After raising her children, she worked in various jobs in retail and food service and she also loved being an active member of various organizations for women Veterans. Over the years she moved around the country to live near different family members, but eventually settled in Christiansburg, Virginia where she finished out her life with close family nearby.

Jo Anna took great pride in being a Lady Marine Veteran and she considered herself a Bingo champion. Those who knew her best know she loved our country, elephants, a good chili dog, and shopping trips to Big Lots. Throughout her life, with all its ups and downs, she always maintained a spirit of cheerfulness and gratitude. Wherever she went, she loved cracking jokes and making people laugh. Because of that, she’ll always be remembered with a smile!

She’s survived by one sister, Margaret Brooks; two brothers, John Brooks and Franklin Brooks; and her children, Michael Orona (Deena), Nancy Weed (Kirk), Jeanne Edwards (Robert), James Orona (Cindy), Barbara Tolman (Tom); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Orona; and two sisters, Betty Lee Ruble and Becky Gum. She will forever be in our hearts and dearly missed.