Mary Jo early on in life found her one true love in James and they were married for a long and loving 62 years. Through that time, they raised their ever growing family and to James she was the best wife as she was always loving, happy, outgoing, the best cook ,and took care of business. Mary Jo was known for loving everyone and helping those around her. To the neighborhood children, where she lived most of her life, she was known as "Mamaw" just as they were her own grandchildren. Mary Jo was always available 24 hours a day to anyone in her large or even extended family, with love, honesty, and even a snack. She was a grandmother with a loving heart for all and was an angel on earth. Memorable stories were always told and a welcoming home with Mary Jo in it was always a certainty.
Abraham Lincoln said of his mother “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Her love, compassion, honesty, companionship, and open heart will be missed by all who know her.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband, James Henry Stephens; daughter Patsy (Dave) Wills; daughter Kathy (Steve) Rudolph; and son Jeffery Stephens; brother J B Watson and sister Jewelene Calhoun; granddaughter Tiffany (Guillermo) Carlos, granddaughter Stephanie (Michael) Sudler, grandson Jeffery Stephens, granddaughter Kimberly (Randy) Darrough, granddaughter Brittany Stephens, granddaughter Jessica Stephens, great grandson Kindrick Kinser, great grandson Jordan Sudler, great grandson Isiah Carlos, great granddaughter Makayla Meyer, great grandson Davon Davis, great granddaughter Amiya Carlos, great granddaughter Chloe Darrough, great granddaughter Nataleigh Darrough, great grandson Connor Dame, great grandson Xavier Dame, great granddaughter Desirae Davis and great granddaughter Sierra Sudler.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by; father John Hence Dobbs and mother Genova Dobbs; brother Estle Dobbs; brother Elzie Dobbs; brother Elbert Dobbs; brother Ellard Dobbs; brother Doyle Dobbs; sister Evelyn Wright; sister Velvie Winchester and sister Edith Anderson.
A visitation for Mary Jo will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Little & Sons Funeral Home, 1301 Main St, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 12:00 PM, 1301 Main St, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107. A burial will occur Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Washington Park East.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Jo's memory may be made to American Stroke Association , 208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604-1242, http://www.stroke.org/donate; and Indy Public Safety Foundation, https://indypsf.org/get-involved/donate.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com for the Stephens family.
