Mary Josephine Bevilaqua

After 99 years of a full and blessed life, Mary Josephine “Jo” Bevilaqua passed on to her final resting place. Jo was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring grandmother and inspiration to all who knew her. A lifetime resident of her beloved Chattanooga, Jo died of natural causes.

Jo met her husband, John Francis Bevilaqua, of 55 years at a USO dance in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA as soldiers prepared for deployment during World War II. Jo and John were actually married twice as the first service was a civil ceremony and they were later married again at St. Gerald Catholic Church in Chickamauga, GA.

“Baba,” as she was affectionately known by family and close friends, was recently honored as the oldest living graduate of Central High School where she graduated in 1933. Baba told friends before starting her family that if she ever had any baby boys “I will throw them in the river.” Proving that God does have a sense of humor, Jo had four sons including John Paul of Atlanta, GA, David of San Diego, CA, Steve of Stillwater, OK and Jody of Houston, TX. Jo has eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, John, her father, Raymond Smith, her mother, Winnie Mae Smith and her brother, Raymond Smith, Jr.

An entrepreneur at heart, Jo was an accomplished business woman and one of the founders of the East Brainerd Merchants Association. Jo started many businesses in East Brainerd over the years including a garden center, known for selling every variety of tomato known, an ice cream parlor which specialized in oversized milkshakes and an arts and crafts gift shop.

She and her brother co-owned a real estate company that developed commercial property and residential housing in East Brainerd. She has lived in Ray Jo Estates in East Brainerd since 1965. Baba was a member of the First Christian Church and an avid painter and homemaker. She taught English smocking and French hand sewing to anyone brave enough to take her classes.

The secret to her 99 years of living was to never break a sweat, never exercise, have frequent belly laughs, consume bacon and coffee any time during the day or evening and always include some kind of dessert with every meal, especially chocolate. Baba was an absolute wizard at crossword puzzles and word jumbles and played a wicked game of Trivial Pursuit.

The family wishes to thank the many friends, extended family and the entire staff at Elmcroft of Lee Highway for their kindness, support, prayers and loving care.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June, 12. The service and celebration of life will be held at 1:00 PM at Chattanooga Funeral Home East at 404 South Moore Road. There will be a private graveside service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her husband.

Arrangements under the direction of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-East Chapel, East Ridge, TN.