Jorita "Darlin" Johnson Groves

Jorita "Darlin" Johnson Groves, age 88, formerly of Panhandle died April 23, 2026, in Amarillo.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Freedom Baptist Church.

A private burial was held on the Frying Pan Ranch in Bushland, Texas.

Jorita was born on April 4, 1938, to her parents, Vance and Erica Whitworth Johnson. She graduated from Stinnett High School in 1955, where she was a twirler throughout her high school years and started dating the handsome Rob Groves. She later attended Tarleton State University, where she was a cheerleader and proudly participated in the “Purple Poo,” the oldest spirit organization in Texas.

She and Rob were married on March 16, 1957, in Stinnett. Their marriage marked the beginning of a beautiful adventure that would span the next fifty years and grow to include their three children. Together they made their home on the historic Frying Pan Ranch, where they lived for more than forty-two years until Rob’s passing in 2007.

Jorita worked full-time as a bookkeeper in the oil industry yet still found time to care for her family and the many hands who worked the ranch. She prepared countless meals for the cowboys, often cooking late into the night so everything would be ready for the next day. Cooking was truly Jorita’s love language. She became well known for her comfort food, especially her homemade rolls and fudge, and later shared her talents by authoring her cookbook, Lone Star Pantry.

From an early age, Jorita was a devoted follower of Christ. Her life was grounded in faith and guided by the teachings of Jesus. She and Rob were married at First Christian Church, the same church where she had been baptized as a young girl.

She also had a deep love for animals. Life on the ranch often meant the children brought home a menagerie of strays, orphans, and wild creatures, all of which Jo Rita welcomed with care. She developed a special interest in photography and captured many beautiful images of the animals and ranch life, photographs that remain treasured in the homes of family and friends. Some of the most special times were spent with the grandchildren, picnicking by the creek, enjoying Jorita’s delicious treats, while exploring nature and the beauty of the ranch.

After Rob’s passing, Jorita moved to Dumas for a time, and later to Panhandle to be closer to her children. She will be remembered as a woman of faith, grace, hospitality, and unwavering love for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Rob; and her son-in-law, Tony Lamb.

Jorita is survived by her children, Jo Angela Lamb of Amarillo, Kelly Mitchell and husband Jimmy Joe of Panhandle, and Rob Groves and wife Stacy of Amarillo; a sister, Judith Appel and husband Larry of Dumas; her sisters in law, Rue Paula Duncan and husband V.J and Susie Butler; eight grandchildren, T.J Lamb, Bob Lamb and wife Nicki, Sarah Long and husband J.D., Paul Mitchell and wife Sydney, Hannah Lewis and husband Grant, Jordan Williamson and husband Cade, Jaemi Jo Walton and husband Nathan, Kenedi Groves, Piper Noble and Emily Noble; her great-grandchildren, Jake, Cooper and Cade Lamb, Ellie Mitchell, Caitlyn Lamb, Madison Mitchell, Paisly Williamson, Hollis Lewis, Stetson Williamson. Call Walton, Hayes Lewis and Luke Walton.