Drawing from her Southern California and Texas roots, JoDee realized a life-long dream of writing a novel with the publication of her debut award winning novel, Life in a Box in 2017. "The sense of accomplishment was so overwhelming that I almost tackled the UPS man when he delivered my proof copy." A Kind of Hush, published in 2021, received critical acclaim and a third novel, Dust in the Wind, is in the developmental stage.

JoDee's professional career began in banking, moving to public relations executive recruiting. Upon relocating to East Texas, she handled public relations for a non-profit and has chaired, written minutes, and reviews for the community book club for nineteen years. She also enjoys a byline in a local newspaper, Back Porch Musings, a light hearted look at life in general.

She and her husband live in close proximity to their only daughter, son-in-law, two teenage grandsons, a bird dog, four cats, a donkey, and a few head of cattle. .