Martha Jo "Jodie" Raper was born on June 17, 1928 in Amory, MS where she lived until 2015 when she moved to Kingwood, TX. She was the seventh of seven children of B.L. and Lula Reedy. She attended Amory High School.

Jo worked at Wilson Manufacturing Company, Glen Manufacturing Company and for over forty years, Security Bank of Amory where she operated the proof machine. She loved beautiful clothes, so after retiring from the bank, she worked part time at a small dress shop in Tupelo, MS.

She loved worshipful, majestic music and was an accomplished musician, active at First United Methodist Church in Amory for many years playing for services as well as weddings and funerals. Later in life, she joined First Presbyterian Church and continued her service of playing organ and piano as well as supporting other ministries of the church. Jo was a fine cook and was well known for pan fried quail, peas and cornbread, fried okra and at holidays, cranberry ice. During her years in Kingwood, she loved decorating her senior living community and playing bingo. She never missed a ride on the bus whether it was to Kroger or just around the local area.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Julia Nash of Houston, TX and a long list of good friends.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of HCA Kingwood and Regent Care of Kingwood and Melissa DeCosta, APRN.

A good friend once said that Jo had always lived with her lights on bright, and sadly her lights dimmed four days shy of her 94th birthday. What a life she had! If youd like to honor her memory, a donation can be made to First Presbyterian Church in Amory, MS or to a charity of your choice.