Mary Jo Fox, 87, of Eastland, TX, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024. Born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1937, to Walter Cecil and Bertha Lorene Jesse, she brought sweetness, kindness, and a touch of silliness to everyone she met. She was the second of four siblings: Johnny Buford (JB), Mary Jo, Jimmy, and Margaret Rose, and their love and bond shaped her remarkable life.
From an early age, Mary Jo excelled academically, making her mark as the most studious of her siblings. She took immense pride in her education, graduating from Eastland High School in 1954, where she was remembered for her sharp mind and her friendly nature. In her high school memory book, she wrote of her dream to become a secretary—a dream she fulfilled as a dedicated administrative assistant for Lone Star Gas, where she worked until her retirement.
Mary Jo was the embodiment of joy, devotion, and resilience. Her son, Mark Slaughter, was the love of her life, and she was his biggest cheerleader. She meticulously kept every award he received, every report card, and every memory of his accomplishments, a testament to her immense pride and deep love for him. She was also a devoted grandmother, adoring her granddaughters, Lyssa and Ashlyn Slaughter, with boundless love and joy.
