Jo Nell Lawrence

She was born to Felix Earl and Velma Louise Story on December 16th, 1933 in Sardis, Tennessee and graduated from Sardis High School in 1952. She moved to Memphis and soon married in 1954 to begin her family. She returned to Sardis after retiring and has lived for the past three plus years in Colorado, but Sardis was always home to her.

She is survived by two children: Rhonda (Chip) Hulley Albright, of Phoenix, AZ and Michael (Kathy) Hulley, of Sedalia, CO. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren, and her brother Don (Barbara) Story of Memphis, and many cherished nephews and nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by her sisters Nina Sue Story and Mary Lou Story Yates Volner.

Jo worked in a secretarial position in a Memphis law office before devoting herself to her family. Later in 1981 she earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and worked for Baptist Hospital East in Memphis until retirement to Sardis. She grew up in the Sardis Methodist Church and later was a member of the Sardis Baptist Church. She was a devoted Christian and rarely missed her bible study classes or church services.

In high school Jo was quite the athlete, enjoying basketball and softball the most, and continued in church leagues. She was very competitive, as anyone knows who has ever played any kind of game with her! She enjoyed live music and could be found many Saturday nights at various local Sardis dances with her sister Mary and friends. She will be remembered for her big heart and equally big smile and sense of humor, for her boundless energy, kindness and work ethic. Her love for her family was immense.

A celebration of her life is being planned for later in the Spring of 2022 in Sardis.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Lawrence family.