Mary Jo O’Dell Timpson: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Mary Jo O’Dell Timpson, 96 of Murphy, NC went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 15, 2020. She was the daughter of the late William McKinley O’Dell and Leila Seabolt O’Dell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil J. Timpson; daughters, Nancy Lynn Timpson and Lisa Timpson Fair; son F. Daniel Timpson; brother, Junior O’Dell; sisters, Frances O’Dell, Eloise Lovingood and half-sister, Cheryl Ann O’Dell.

Visitation will be held at Townson-Rose Funeral Home on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the funeral services immediately following. Burial will be at Hiwassee Baptist Church Cemetery following the funeral on Saturday. The Reverend James Beasley and Dr. Eddis Dockery will preside at the funeral services. Pallbearers will be Mark Kephart, Jeremy Kephart, Wes Timpson, Ken Timpson, Jason Cooke and Terry Fair. Honorary Pallbearers will be Darrell Timpson, Gary Timpson and Jeff Lovingood.

Mary Jo is survived by her children and their spouses, James and LaVonne Timpson of McDonough, GA, Patricia and Jerry Kephart of Murphy, NC; son-in-law, Terry S. Fair of Tyrone, GA; daughter-in-law, Sharon Timpson of Lawrenceville, GA; special cousins, loved and appreciated by the family, Linda Kaye Seabolt and the Rev. James Beasley; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Mary Jo and her family were fortunate to have helped raised 3 nephews who were like brothers in the family, Ronald W. Timpson, deceased, of Locust Grove, GA, Darrell Timpson of McDonough, GA and Gary Timpson of Jonesboro, GA.

Mary Jo was born on May 3, 1923 in Fontana, NC. She was raised in the Great Depression era and experienced many tragic losses at a young age. When Mary Jo was 6, her mother passed away. She also lost her older sister Frances, who died at only 8 years old. Mary Jo and her siblings were taken in and raised by her grandparents, William Napoleon “Poley” and Josephine “Josey” Seabolt. Mary Jo graduated from Murphy High School in 1940. She married Cecil Timpson on January 6, 1943. After Cecil returned from his military service in WWII, the family settled in the Peachtree community and operated a grain mill. In 1948, the family moved to Tillamook, Oregon and lived there for several years. During this time, Nancy Lynn Timpson was born, but passed away as an infant. The family moved back and forth to North Carolina several times over the years, but eventually came back to Murphy permanently in the early 70’s.

Mary Jo was a homemaker for most of her life but did work outside the home in a restaurant that she and Cecil once owned and operated. She also worked in the school lunchroom at Murphy Elementary School for a short time and then provided childcare to many children over the years in her home in Murphy. Mary Jo was an active member of Hiwassee Baptist Church and loved to sing in the choir. Her greatest accomplishments were the many children that she raised and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she influenced with her wisdom, kindness and love. Her legacy was her constant encouragement of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to obtain a college education. She felt that a higher education was one of the most important things that any family member accomplished in their life. Mary Jo enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, gospel singing and spending time with her family.

Flowers may be sent to Townson-Rose funeral home or memorials may be made in her honor to the Hiwassee Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Linda K. Seabolt, 95 Bates Creek Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

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