Joe Ann Darville

Joe Ann Crawford Darville, age 91, a lifelong resident of McComb, MS, passed away on March 19, 2025.
Joe Ann was born in McComb on May 27, 1933, the daughter of the late Benton E. Crawford and the late Bobbie Louise Case Crawford. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Benton E. Crawford, Jr. Joe Ann was a graduate of McComb High School and truly left a legacy. She was the 1st chair flute and piccolo player in the band, a majorette, a Demalay Sister, a senior class officer, had the lead role in her junior and senior class plays, was a member and stencilist of the Tiger Rags staff, and sang alto in the Girl's Sextet of McComb High, and church choirs. Mom said the only reason she served as the manager of the girl's basketball team was to be able to travel with them so she could watch Bobby play for the men's team. Joe Ann, a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary, served as 1st vice president.
If you and Joe Ann were friends, that friendship remained vital to her. She could disagree with another's viewpoint, but she loved you just the same and never left the friendship. Her heart was immense, always thinking of others and ensuring that their needs were met. Her family was the love of her life, next to Jesus. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her marriage was a testimony to everyone, especially her children and grandchildren. Joe Ann prayed for each member of her family each day, by name, with specific requests! This is the legacy of Joe Ann Darville.
Joe Ann, affectionately known as Jody to all who knew her, helped her husband and father-in-law establish the Hollis Drive-In and worked as a carhop and server. After her father's death, she worked alongside her mother at Crawford Plumbing and Butane. Mrs. Darville also worked for several years as a bank teller at Alamo National Bank in San Antonio, TX, while Bobby was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base. Joe Ann worked for many years at Mechanics State Bank as a teller and an executive assistant and at Bank of McComb (now First Bank) as an executive assistant to Gordon Covington, the President. For several years after leaving the banking industry, she worked as a legal secretary for a local law firm. She was a former member of First Baptist Church in McComb, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and also taught couples' Sunday School with her husband. Mrs. Darville was most recently a member of First Baptist Church of Summit, MS, where she taught couples' Sunday School with her husband for many years. She loved her family, her church, her friends, and her city. Most of all, Joe Ann loved Jesus and is now rejoicing in his presence for eternity.
Survivors include her husband of 73 years, Robert H. "Hollis" Darville, Jr; her children, Dr. Robert H. Darville, III (Gayla), Rome, GA, Dennis Patrick Darville (LeeAnne), Rome, GA, Holly Dee Turnage (David), McComb, MS, and Jody Jean Johnson (Shea), Tylertown, MS; 10 grandchildren, Sarah Darville, Rome, GA, Stephen Darville (Morgan), Boston, MA, Joanna Fife (Joe), Rome, GA, Jonathan Darville (Jillian), Raleigh, NC, Courtney Everett (Jamie), Oxford, MS, Benton Turnage (Rachel), New Orleans, LA, Hunter Turnage, Nags Head, NC, Hollis Turnage, McComb, MS, Case Johnson, Tylertown, MS, and Camryn Burton (Scott), Tylertown, MS; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Bobbie Jean Stirling (Will), Greensboro, NC; a sister-in-law, Shirley Crawford, Atlanta, GA; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on March 22, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Summit, MS, with her sons, Dr. Robert H. Darville, III, and Dennis Patrick Darville, and Dr. Larry LeBlanc officiating. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church Summit, Ms. There will be private graveside service for the family.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Stephen Darville, Jono Darville, Benton Turnage, Hunter Turnage, Hollis Turnage, and Case Johnson.
Joe Ann's family thanks The Claiborne at McComb for their care for the last 8 years. So many of the staff were so kind and made her days fun, calling her Queen! In addition, we are grateful for the compassion and care Deaconess Hospice provided to our mother.
Hartman-Jones Funeral Home, McComb, MS, is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Joe Ann Crawford Darville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Association or the First Baptist Church of Summit.