Shirley Joan "Jo" Speaks Taylor, 85, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Choctaw County Nursing Home in Ackerman, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Monday, April 11, in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Scott Edwards officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 12:30 p.m. until service time at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment will immediately follow the service in Louisville Memorial Cemetery.
Jo was born May 7, 1936, to Noble and Lucine Ward Speaks in Deemer, Mississippi. She was an active member of South Louisville Baptist Church until her failing health prevented her attendance. Jo enjoyed cooking, working in her flowers and watching her birds. She also enjoyed traveling as well as visiting with others and spending time with her family. For many years, she worked for Spartus Corporation. Later, she worked at Community Counseling Service in Macon until she retired.
Jo is survived by her daughter Jackie Brantley and husband Larry of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “MawMaw” to her three grandchildren: Matthew (Stacey) Farish, Tim Farish, and Jessie (Josh) Stennett. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Taylor, Hayden, and Gavin Farish and Adelyn Stennett. Jo was preceded in death by her husband Jack Taylor, and two sisters Jean Davis and Linda Speaks.
Serving as pallbearers are Mike Back, Taylor Farish, Jimmy Lovorn, Keith Matzek, Glenn Sisson, and Josh Stennett. Memorials in honor of Jo may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/donate.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
Jo is survived by her daughter Jackie Brantley and husband Larry of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “MawMaw” to her three grandchildren: Matthew (Stacey) Farish, Tim Farish, and Jessie (Josh) Stennett. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Taylor, Hayden, and Gavin Farish and Adelyn Stennett. Jo was preceded in death by her husband Jack Taylor, and two sisters Jean Davis and Linda Speaks.
Serving as pallbearers are Mike Back, Taylor Farish, Jimmy Lovorn, Keith Matzek, Glenn Sisson, and Josh Stennett. Memorials in honor of Jo may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/donate.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
