of Clinton, AR
July 8, 1924 - April 10, 2021
Mary Jo Davis, 96, of Clinton, went to meet her Savior on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Mary Jo was born on July 8, 1924, to Joseph Jefferson Smith and Bessie Estes Smith of Pee Dee, Arkansas. She was the fifth of seven children.
After graduating from Clinton High School, she worked as an emergency wartime teacher in a one-roomed school in Burnt Ridge. She then went to California to work in the war-time ship building industry. While in California, she met and later married William C. (Bill) Davis from Punxsutawney, PA.
The young couple moved throughout the United States pursuing Bill's career in iron working. In 1949, their first daughter, Judy K., was born. She was followed by her sister, Becky Lou, in 1960. After Judy graduated from high school, the family moved to Clinton where she became a teacher's assistant in Clinton Elementary School.
Mary Jo is survived by her sister, Verniece Harness of Clinton; her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Ron Dorsey of Newport News, VA; three granddaughters, Kristy Dorsey-Beattie of Glasgow, Scotland, Hannah Mchale of Fayetteville, AR, and Katie McHale of Bryant, AR; two great-grandsons, Ryan and Kyle Beattie of Glasgow, Scotland; and a host of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her younger daughter, Becky; two brothers, Orbin and Lloyd Smith; and three sisters, Lois Porter of Joplin, MO, Nerene Williams of Shirley, and Dortha L. Smith of Clinton.
Her funeral will be on Thursday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Roller-McNutt funeral home in Clinton. Visitation will begin before the service at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Pee Dee Cemetery.
It was only today when reading The Voice I learned of Mary Jo’s passing.
What a sweet, nice, and kind lady she was! It was an honor to know her!
I pray for comfort for all of her family as her loss is mourned especially her surviving sister Verniece who is fondly remembered as Granny Harness by my daughters. Also, her sweet granddaughters Katie and Hannah who I knew in school at Clinton as well as her nieces Betty and Jamie.
Rest In Peace Mary Jo!
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
I love Mary Jo and have missed her since we moved from there. Would love to be there for her celebration of life. Prayers for the family.
So sorry to here about Mary Jo passing my momma Sally knew her well I went to church with Becky She was a very sweet lady she in heaven with Bill Becky prayers for the family
She was a precious soul and will be missed greatly. Praying for your family.
So sorry to hear about Mary jo I would see her at the nursing home she sat at my mom table (sally Bonds) prayers
I love you sweet girl! She is finally home. I know she did not want to leave you and we all know how much she loves you! I will pray for peace for you in the coming days ! Much love from an old teacher!
She was a sweet and wonderful lady. She is with our Lord now!
Ms. Davis was a sweet lady and will always be remembered.
Debbie Whillock