Jo Ann Lancaster Smith

Jo Ann Smith, age 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her residence in Canton, Mississippi after a short illness and assistance with Gentiva Hospice. She lived in Meridian, Mississippi for 50 years prior to her move to Canton, MS. She was born in Hinds County, Mississippi and was raised in Yazoo County, MS.

Jo Ann Smith was born to parents William Thomas Lancaster and Lela Pearl Warrington Lancaster (Dillard) on December 23, 1930. She is the seventh of ten children born to Pearl Dillard. Jo Ann is the youngest daughter and the first of her family to attend college. As an eighteen-year-old, she left home to train and work as a nurse's aide at the Baptist Hospital and Whitfield State Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. While there, she was encouraged to attend Clarke College where she worked to pay for an education working in the cafeteria and as a nurse in her dormitory. This is where she met and fell in love with William Edward Smith. After a short courtship they married on April 18, 1953. The young couple then transferred to Howard College (now Samford University) where their first child, Beverly, was born. Upon completion of his four-year degree, Ed transferred to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and their second daughter, Beth, was born. With their young family, Jo Ann and Ed moved and faithfully worked in churches in Hazelhurst, MS where sons Tommy and John were born, Safford, AL where daughter Theresa was born and Demopolis, AL where youngest daughter Priscilla was born. They later moved to Meridian, MS where Ed pastored at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church, Liberty Baptist Church (for 25 years), and Center Grove Baptist Church. Jo Ann was an integral part of his ministry and faithful partner throughout these years. She was a faithful member at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church from 2007 until 2020. She was most recently a member of First Baptist Church, Madison, MS where she was thankful to be able to attend the services virtually when her health no longer allowed physical attendance. Through the years, Jo taught Girls In Action, Women's Missionary Union, Sunday School, Training Union and loved on numerous babies and toddlers.

Jo Ann has worked as a substitute teacher, seamstress at Vanity Fair in Demopolis, AL, hardware store clerk, teacher at Clarkdale School, worked at Otasco Warehouse until their closing and at Avery Dennison until her retirement in 2001. In addition to working outside the home, Jo Ann cared for her family sewing clothing, cooking, and endless washing of clothing as well as cleaning. She did much of this before the invention of clothes dryers or microwaves. She worked tirelessly gardening and canning vegetables to feed her family. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman. As grandchildren and great grandchildren came along she has loved and helped care for them. She loved being Granny not only to her own, but to those of families at her church. She could quiet a crying baby when no one else could.

Jo Ann never missed the opportunity to tell everyone she met "God loves you." Many times adding, "He always has and He always will. He is coming back soon and He wants you to live for Him." She would want you to know that truth today. May we be as bold in our faith as to tell those we meet of God's love for them. Jo Ann never won any great awards on this earth, but she has won the hearts and love of many and most of all has heard her Savior say, "Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into your heavenly reward." Her family and friends look forward to that heavenly reunion some glorious day.

In addition to her bold witness of her Savior's sacrifice and love, she was an avid reader all her life and her favorite book to read was God's Word. Her favorite verses are John 17. Jesus' words in verse 16-19, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth." May you know the truth of the gospel of Christ. She asked that we read this during her illness and said, "I like those verses. They are my favorite." Jo loved music and singing, gardening, puzzling and fiercely loved her family. She learned to crochet at the age of 70 and did so for several years. Those who know Jo know that she was very hard of hearing and had been for many years. Today, Jo can hear perfectly, run, and rejoice in singing in perfect harmony with the angels and saints in heaven. And she can get down on her renewed legs and knees and bow in worship at the feet of Jesus.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William Edward Smith, on July 11, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Olga Warrington, Lula Warrington Hardy (Willie), Margaret Warrington Hancock (Daniel Monroe), Violet Warrington Whittington (Wallace); as well as her brothers, Willie Warrington (Lillian), Edward Warrington, Bevard Dillard (Clara), Samuel Warrington, and George Dillard (Faye). She was preceded in death by her beloved great-grandson Carter Fisher on May 15, 2024. She was also preceded in death by siblings, Samuel Lancaster, Ulah Lancaster, Sarah Lancaster, Delia Lancaster, Connie Lancaster, John Franklin Lancaster, and Willie Bell Lancaster, some of which she never even met. Perhaps she is having a great family reunion in heaven as friends and family worship the Savior.

Jo Ann is survived by her children, Beverly Ann Stokes (Billy), Beth Booker (Richard), Tommy Smith (Anita), John Smith (Beth), Theresa Ray, and Priscilla Richey; ten grandchildren, Gus Stokes (Anna Leigh), Joanna Shroyer (Justin), Richard Booker, Jr. (Kendal), Jessica Fisher (Kevin), Jacob Smith, Lacy Kelly (Kirk), Alex Potter (Taylor), Heather Casevechia, Brandon Brown, and Katie Richey; fifteen great-grandchildren, Camden Stokes, Sadie Stokes, Jayden Shroyer, Jordyn Shroyer, Jaxson Shroyer, Owen Booker, Caroline Booker, Aubrey Booker, Sawyer Fisher, Everleigh Smith, Madison Kelly, Rylee Grace Kelly, Colt Kelly, Ella Potter, and Brooks Potter; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in Meridian, Mississippi, followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM with Bro. Jack Kern and Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Burial to follow at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Toomsuba, MS.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the mission offering at your local church or to Behold Israel @beholdisrael.org.