July 20, 1923 – May 1, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Jo Berta McGehee, 88, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at her residence, will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Richard Wood officiating.

Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rosehill City Cemetery in Brookhaven under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Friday at the church.

In Colossians 2:6, Paul advises the members of that church to “continue to live … strengthened in the faith … and overflowing with thankfulness.” Jo Berta McGehee’s strong faith and overflowing thankfulness influenced every aspect of her life and proves to be an inspiration for her family and friends.

A charter member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and its first female elder, Jo Berta was a Sunday school teacher and an active member of the Presbyterian Women both within her own church and on the district level. On the local level, she served as moderator while within the Presbyterian Women of Mississippi, and she was the treasurer and the Enabler of Cluster D. In fact, in recognition of her faithful service, the Presbytery awarded her an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women. Jo Berta was always thankful for and faithful to her church family.

Jo Berta’s faithful character extended into her community involvement as well. She was a member of the Natchez Garden Club, the Natchez Chapter of the DAR, the First Families of Mississippi, the American Clan Gregor Society and a proud member of the Republican Party. A patron of the Natchez Opera Festival, she enjoyed housing some of the singers through the years. Jo Berta and her husband, Frank, were strong supporters of both the arts and education. One of their many gestures of support for the two was their donation of their extensive collection of Boehm birds to Belhaven College in Jackson. Jo Berta loved the Natchez community and served it faithfully.

Above all, Jo Berta was a faithful spouse, mother and grandmother. Her unconditional love for her family never wavered. Alongside Jo’s adored husband, Frank, she toiled as a faithful steward of God’s many blessings. Devoted to her children and grandchildren, Jo Berta supported any and every activity in which they were involved with her whole heart. She attended a number of swim meets, basketball games and soccer matches exuding joy and support. Gardening was another passion of hers that she used to promote her family’s well being. Their hearts were soothed with beautiful flowers, and their health promoted with fresh vegetables that she tended carefully and cooked into delicious dishes. Leading by example, Jo Berta worked faithfully to make her home life happy, healthy and harmonious.

Her love was patient and kind. It was never rude or self seeking. It was not easily angered, and it kept no record of wrongs. It always trusted, always hoped and always persevered. She was faithful, overflowing with thanksgiving and her family is thankful to have had her in their lives.

Mrs. McGehee was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Hartman McGehee; her brothers; her sisters; and her parents.

Survivors include one son, Joe Hartman McGehee; one daughter, Ann Scott McGehee Paradise and husband, Robert Gordon Paradise; four grandchildren, Joshua Joseph McGehee, Daniel James McGehee, Jennifer Elaine Paradise Slover and husband, Scott Fletcher Slover, and Everett McGehee Paradise and wife, Emma Chen Paradise; and two great-grandchildren, Renee Parker Slover and Olivia Ann Paradise.

Pallbearers will be Chuck Caldwell, Chuck Mayfield, Wallace Willard, Phillip Chaffin, Sam Kirby and Don Smith.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.