Margaret Jo Moore, 90, 1931 to 2021, passed away peacefully in Richmond, Texas on Mar. 6, 2021. Jo was a resident of Clarksdale for over 50 years before moving to Texas to be with family. Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021 at Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Mar. 19, 2021 at Memphis Memory Gardens in Memphis, Tenn.
Born in Carson, Ark., she grew up in Gates, Tennessee and graduated from Halls High School.
Jo attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing in Memphis, graduating with the degree of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She worked at Baptist Memorial Hospital before moving to Clarksdale. in 1963. Jo passionately served the Clarksdale community at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center for 39 years. Patients often calling her personally to ensure that she would be working and to request her before scheduling their needed surgeries. She was a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Jo greatly loved her Lord Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Oakhurst Baptist Church. As a devoted member, she served as the Youth Division Sunday School Director, Sunday school teacher, bible study teacher and adult choir member. She loved participating in the annual Christmas Cantatas. Jo spent time in the summer serving as the nurse/chaperone on the Youth Choir trips traveling across the south. She also served on various committees throughout the years such as the Sanctuary Revitalization Committee, Hospitality Committee, Pastor Search Committee, Witness Outreach, and Christian Activities Center Building Fund. In her later years, she loved being with her friends and Oakhurst family in the Rolling Along Klub. Jo lived a life of abiding and sincere faith in God, which she shared with many.
Jo enjoyed many varied interests throughout her life. She was an excellent bowler with her women’s team qualifying for state and regional tournaments and often bringing home wins. Jo coached Youth softball and basketball teams. She loved children of all ages and opened her home as the neighborhood hangout. Jo was an avid reader who especially loved books by John Grisham. She was a life-long learner, taking classes at Delta State University “just to keep her mind sharp” as she stated. Jo enjoyed going to antique shops to look for hidden treasures. She was a member of the volunteer organization Allie Carr Circle of the King’s Daughters.
Jo loved her family; her greatest joys were family gatherings and being with her grandchildren. Her heart for others went well beyond her family. Jo had the rare trait of being a focused listener who always made the speaker feel important. She was blessed to live a life that was defined by her serving and caring for others. Her integrity and goodness will always be remembered.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the devoted caregivers for the loving care they bestowed upon our dear mother. We will be forever grateful.
Jo was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Benefield; mother Lola Mae Benefield; older sister Beatrice Jones; and daughter Margaret Moore Rutledge.
She is survived by her daughter LeAnne Parker and husband Keith of Richmond, Texas; sister Carolyn Moore of Nesbit; grandchildren Brett Parker of Houston, Texas, Tyler Parker and wife Mary Margaret of Richmond, Texas, Conner Parker of Lubbock, Texas, Grace Rutledge of Branson, Missouri and Ryan Rutledge, of New Orleans, La.; great granddaughter Annie Mae Parker of Richmond, Texas.
Memorial donations may be made to Jo’s favorite charity St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
