Memorial Park Funeral Home
http://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com
Mary Jo Williams, 91, "Jo" to her many friends, went to be with our Lord on November 4, 2022. She was a resident of Kirby Pines Retirement Community. Jo was the youngest of four, born to Louva "Lou" and Oliver Tomas Pulliam on February 22, 1931, in Walnut, Mississippi. Although she grew up during the Great Depression, she often spoke of having had "the most wonderful childhood." Her parents owned the general store in town where, as a young child, she would often nap in the glass display showcase.
Jo attended Northwest Junior College and performed live on the radio as one of a trio, "The Three Notes," before moving to Memphis. She was an assistant to Dr. Emmitt Hall when she met the love of her life, photographer Robert H. (Bob) Williams. Bob's employer, The Commercial Appeal, assigned him to photograph a pretty girl under a blooming dogwood tree (pictured), announcing the arrival of spring. He selected Jo as that girl from a stack of model portfolios, proclaiming to his co-workers he fully intended to marry her. Love at first sight for Bob, Jo caught up quickly. God had a master plan for their lives, which they lived fully. Their 70-year marriage exemplified the meaning of love and devotion.
Bob spent much of his spare time photographing Elvis during his meteoric rise to Rock 'n Roll fame, and one evening backstage at a concert, he introduced Jo to the singer. Elvis pulled him to the side and whispered, "I knew you said she was pretty, Bob, but you never said she was a queen."
Jo could have been or done anything her heart desired, but she chose the role of wife, mother, and friend. Her love for learning took her back to continue her education at the University of Memphis where she studied psychology, literature, and writing. She was a member of Brooks League, a volunteer for St. Jude, a member of the DAR and a docent for Mallory Neely House. She was happiest in her kitchen, and her children liked to say, "She never met a casserole she didn't make." Jo took that love of cooking to chair the publication of a cookbook for the First Baptist Church of Memphis called "First Favorites." Its multiple printings raised funds for foreign missions.
Jo made countless meals, often hand-delivering her specialties of roast beef, caramel cake and teacakes to friends and fellow church members at Germantown Baptist Church in times of illness or sadness.
Jo and Bob were in the church's Merrymakers senior choir and enjoyed performing at nursing homes and other venues until she could no longer do so. Her long life cannot be summed up in a few short words, but she left her mark on many hearts with encouraging words and an enchanting gift for storytelling, forever captivating her children and grandchildren.
A true romantic, she was especially proud of several successful matchmaking efforts which resulted in bringing together other happy couples through the years. What a wonderful moment it must have been, to reunite with her own doting husband, Bob, in heaven!
Jo was kind and generous. Her beautiful smile, insistence to have "just one more helping," and her treasured, heartfelt whispers of, "I love you more than you'll ever know," will be missed.
She is survived by her adoring children, David R. Williams (Penney) Memphis, Paula Crowe Hartley (Clay) Tulsa, and Kristin Ammons (Doug) Millington, to whom she left a love for theater and music. She also leaves four grandchildren, Judson Crowe, (Tulsa) Katelyn Barnett (Adam), Greenville, SC, Alexander Crowe (Carly), Bradenton, FL and Ellery Ammons, (Washington, DC) who called her G-Jo and to whom she passed on her indisputable talent for yard sale shopping, along with how to play a mean game of dominos. She also leaves a bonus grand-daughter, Lindsay Tahaney, (Adam), Afton, OK, many nieces and nephews, and her loving and loyal caregivers, Clara, Yolanda, Janis, Jackie, Tabatha, Tarvia, Helen, Meka, and Kesha, to whom we are very grateful.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. with the service following at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Samaritan's Purse or the charity of your choice is appreciated.
LINKS
The Commercial Appeal Memoriams
http://www.commercialappeal.com
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