Mary Jo Earnest

Mary JoAnn "Jo" Earnest was born on August 19, 1935, in Williston, TN, to Charles Edward and Mary Louise Burch. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 20, 2025. 

She was married to her beloved, James Robert Earnest, on July 7, 1960, at Colonial Baptist Church where they were longtime members. Jo was blessed by two children: a daughter, Jennifer Kenley (Russell) and a son, Jeff Earnest (Jamie). She was most proud of her amazing grandchildren, who she affectionately referred to as Granny’s Angels: Bryan Kenley, Julie Earnest (Juan), and Jackson Earnest. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, James, and siblings, Charles Edward Jr. (Red), Helen (Cissy), and Max. Jo loved to tell stories of her childhood, her 46-year marriage, her 35 years working at Dr. Brown’s dental office, Granny’s Angels, and her beloved Memphis Tigers! 

Please join us to celebrate her life on Wednesday, November 26th, 2025. Services for Ms. Jo will begin at 11 Wednesday morning at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. A visitation will be from 10-11 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with interment to follow at the Memorial Park Southwoods cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

Please send any memorials in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.