Jo Stringer Mitchell

Jo Stringer Mitchell
November 5, 1935 – January 21, 2026

Jo Stringer Mitchell, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted servant to her community,
passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Born on November 5, 1935, in Tylertown, Mississippi, Jo was the daughter of the late John Noah
Stringer and Katie Dimple Harvey Craft. Tylertown was always close to her heart, and she
proudly considered it her hometown throughout her life.

Jo is survived by her husband of more than seventy years, William Henry Mitchell of
Hattiesburg, Mississippi; her three children, Merrill Gye Brown of Gulfport, Mississippi, Royce
William Mitchell II (Lesslee) of Miramar Beach, Florida, and Emily Kay Stogner (Steve) of
Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Allen Randall Bos, Jr.
(Ariana) of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Cassidy Stogner Bishop (Cameron) of Birmingham, Alabama, Caroline Mitchell
Conley (Chris) of Bradenton, Florida, Steven Mitchell Stogner (Lacey) of Brentwood,
Tennessee, Royce William Mitchell III (Jennifer) of Miramar Beach, Florida, and Emily Craven
Stogner of Nashville, Tennessee; and eleven great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Tulane and Southern Baptist Hospital Nursing School, Jo returned to
Tylertown, where she devoted herself to raising her children and serving her community. She
served two years as President of the Cosmopolitan Club and was an active member of Tylertown
Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School before becoming the church hostess, a role she
held for many years.

Jo's commitment to the arts and civic life extended beyond her hometown. She was appointed by
Governors Cliff Finch and William Waller to the Mississippi Arts Commission, where she
served for eight years. Jo and her husband, William, were honored as the Jaycee Distinguished
Family of the Year in recognition of their many contributions to Tylertown and Walthall County.
In the early 1980s, Jo relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she continued her lifelong
pattern of service. She served as a board member of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and
was honored as a lifetime member of the Symphony Guild. She was also a board member of the
Walter Anderson Museum, a member of the Pass Christian Historical Society, and a member of
the Gulf Coast Red Hat Society.

Among friends, Jo was especially known for her sharp wit and joyful humor. As a member of her
Tuesday Wine Group, she earned the affectionate title of "Queen Jo" for her memorable quips
and sayings-fondly remembered as "Jo-isms"-many of which are still quoted with laughter
today. Following Hurricane Katrina, Jo relocated to Hattiesburg, where she served on the Board of the
Canebrake Homeowners Association.

After a private family memorial service, burial was in Tylertown Cemetery and was officiated by
Brother Justin Knight of Tylertown Baptist Church.

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