Services for Mary Jo Whitwell, 90, of Richardson, TX, formerly of Ada will be 10:00 am Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Randy Johns will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 pm, Monday, May 15,2023 at Criswell Funeral Home.
Mrs. Whitwell died Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at her home. She was born March 28, 1933 in Pontotoc, OK to Marshall Lee and Earlene Winton McGehee.
After graduating from high school, she moved to Oklahoma City and attended business school for a year before marrying Robert Whitwell on April 4, 1952 and moving to New Jersey where Lisa was born. After being transferred through the army to Arizona briefly, they moved back to Ada. Mary Jo was always busy with her family and others.
Along with taking care of her family, Mary Jo was an amazing seamstress, artist, quilter, and she was known for her tacos and Christmas candy. She achieved over 10,000 volunteer hours at Mercy Hospital’s gift shop. She delivered Meals on Wheels, taught Sunday School over 20 years, and loved going to Byng baseball and basketball games. But mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Johnston and husband Pete, Ada and Susan Malone and husband Greg, Dallas, TX; two brothers, Morris McGehee and wife Jeannie, Ada and Floyd McGehee and wife Dava, Norman; three grandchildren, Lacy LaFevers and husband Jason, Tishomingo, Shay Mullins and husband Dale, Ada and Nicholas Malone, Dallas, TX; three great-grandchildren, Kyle Wood, Kash Mullins and Gatlin LaFevers; and other loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; a brother, Roy McGehee and a sister, Ola Mae Morrow.
Bearers will be Nicholas Malone, Greg Malone, Pete Johnston, Kyle Wood, Dale Mullins, Jason LaFevers and Michael McGehee. Honorary bearers will be Bill McGehee and Kyle McGehee.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
