Obituary of Mary Jo Smith

Mary Jo was born in Nicholls, GA on July 1, 1936 to the late William Monroe Hutcheson and Georgia Katherine Hersey Hutcheson. She is survived by 2 sons, Jimmy (Julie) Smith of Punta Gorda, FL and Bascom Jr. (Kaylyn) Smith of Macclenny, FL; 3 daughters, Mary Katherine (Dan) Newcomb of North Fort Myers, FL, Shirlene Cricket (Tim) Beehler of Dade City, FL, and Tammie Jo Hillman of Punta Gorda, FL, 1 sister Shirley Fox of Madison, FL, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bascom O. Smith Sr. of 62 years and an infant daughter, Karen Jo Smith, granddaughter Amy Smith; 4 sisters, Mattie Mae Sweat, Eloise Price, Betty Nobles, and Helen Osburn; 6 brothers, Robert Hutcheson, Lonnie Hutcheson, Joel Hutcheson, Warnie Hutcheson, Carl (Boss) Hutcheson, and Allen Hutcheson.

She moved to Fort Myers, FL with her husband in 1954. Most of the time she was a stay-at-home Mom and a Pastor’s wife always willing to give a helping hand to her husband in his pastoral role at 4 churches for 35 years.

She joined the Church of God of Prophecy at Fort Myers Marion St. in 1954 where she held many positions and was the Clerk and Treasurer for over 22 years. She also served as its pastor’s wife for several years. Her church was her life-line.

Her hobbies included working in the yard and sewing, and she was known for her good cooking, baking, and Southern hospitality.

Pallbearers: her grandsons

A celebration of her life will be at the Church of God of Prophecy, 3182 Marion St., Fort Myers, FL on Thursday January 11^th, 2024. The viewing will take place at 1:00 pm. The service begins at 2:00 pm, with a graveside burial following at Alva Cemetery. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Church of God of Prophecy.