Mary Jo Deason Bickerstaff

Mary Jo Deason Bickerstaff August 20, 1936 - August 22, 2009 COLUMBUS, GA — Mary Jo Deason Bickerstaff, 73, of Columbus, GA died Saturday, August 22, 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Elder officiating. Private entombment will follow in Parkhill Cemetery Memorial Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday evening, August 23, 2009 at the funeral home. Mrs. Bickerstaff was born August 20, 1936 in Opelika, AL, daughter of the late James ÒTedÓ Deason and Mary Smith Deason. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus, the Historic Columbus Foundation, the Columbus Museum and the Garden Club. Mrs. Bickerstaff enjoyed clearing land for the farm where she loved raising cattle, riding horses and taking care of wildlife and the environment. She will be remembered as a lady with unique abilities, courage, determination and knowledge to fulfill her dreams. Mrs. Bickerstaff was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, George Hale Bickerstaff, Jr. Survivors include her two children, George Hale Bickerstaff, III and Elizabeth Ann Bickerstaff, both of Hamilton, GA; one brother, James Morgan Deason and his wife, Mary of Sylacauga, AL; and numerous friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Condolences may be offered at www.striffler-hamby.com