Mary Jo Butler

Mary Jo Griggs Harris Butler was born January 24, 1929 to Dr. Joseph R. Griggs and Mary Jewell Knowles Griggs in Lubbock, Texas and lovingly raised by Una E. Knowles Griggs and Joseph R. Griggs. She passed away on June 24, 2022.

Mary Jo was a graduate of Huntsville High School and Sam Houston State University. She also attended Nazarene Christian College for one year. She married John V. Harris, Sr. in 1951. The father of her five children, John V. Harris, Sr. passed away unexpectedly in 1970 at the age of 41. Mary Jo taught first grade for several years in Texas and Michigan. She lived in many towns in Texas and also lived in Detroit, Michigan for several years. Mary Jo loved living by the water. In her retirement years she lived with her 2^nd husband, Joe Butler, in a home on Possum Kingdom Lake which she greatly enjoyed. After he passed away, she moved to Port Bolivar Island where she lived under the loving care of her son, John Victor Harris.

Mary Jo was a talented artist, enjoyed traveling to new places, enjoyed singing, shopping, and collecting. Mostly, she enjoyed being with her family and visiting the many friends she had made throughout her lifetime. These people will surely miss her laughter, her smile, and her loving ways.

Left to cherish her amazing life are her children, Vickie Jo Stanley (Keith), Debra Ruth Inman (Joe), John Victor Harris, Joan-Marie Crosier (Rickard), Andrea Leigh Heaslet (Grant); brother, John Paul Griggs (Florence); sister, Betty Ruth Griggs Gillaspie (Gordon); and many nieces and nephews. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her two husbands, John V. Harris and Joe Butler, and a brother Joseph Wright Griggs in 2016.

An irreplaceable grandmother and great-grandmother to 18 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. You are greatly missed and loved by all who knew you, treasured you, and are forever in our hearts.

A graveside service was held June 28, 2022 at Indian Creek Cemetery, Mineral Wells, Texas.

Arrangements were held by Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home.