Mary Jo Pate

Mary Jo Pate, 81, of Salem, Arkansas, passed away from this life on Monday, December 12, 2022, at her home in Salem, Arkansas. Jo was born October 31, 1941, in Heart, Arkansas, the only child to James Robert Weaver and Goldie (Stroud) Weaver.

Jo married Ruthford Howard, to this union two daughters were born, and later married Clifton “Rook” Pate. Jo worked as a secretary for Jr. Moody, Ray C. and Jerry Carter, and Dwayne and Karen Plumlee over many years. Jo was an avid reader, loved card games and board games, bowled in a league, and had a quick wit and sense of humor. Jo grew up attending the Heart General Baptist Church in Heart, Arkansas and later became a member of the Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas. Jo was a deacon’s wife and embraced the role and enjoyed being a part of the activities with the other deacons and their wives. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Jo leaves to mourn her passing, two daughters, Tina Crenshaw of Salem, Arkansas and Shanna Maguffee (Bob) of Salem, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Nicole McFarland (Charlie) of Viola, Arkansas, Melanie Dotson (Matthew) of West Plains, Missouri, Tyler Wheeler (Trish) of Mt. Home, Arkansas, and Chelsea Conway (Justin) of Calamine, Arkansas; eight great grandchildren, Patience Lawson, Levi Dean, Brinnion McFarland, Ava Conway, Leah Wheeler, Della Dotson, Lane Wheeler, and Whitleigh Conway; five stepchildren, Rick Pate (Janet), Connie Pate, Angi Smith (Jody), Mark Pate (Holly), and Marla Long (Jeff), and their families; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband (Clifton “Rook” Pate), parents (James and Goldie Weaver), and grandson (James Nathan Davis).

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. John Hodges officiating. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas. The interment will be in the Agnos Cemetery in Agnos, Arkansas. The pallbearers will be Michael Howard, Roger Stroud, Kenny Crawford, Jimmy Mills, Kevin Pendergrass, Mark Pate, and Rick Pate. Honorary pallbearers will be the Female First Cousins. Memorials may be made to the Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home, LLC in Salem, Arkansas.