Mary Jo Hoover (Cox) passed away on December 10 in Evans at the age of 88.  Mary Jo was born in Louisville, GA to Rosa Welch and Joseph Ransome Cox on December 19, 1931, and her father died when she was very young.  She gained a new father when her mother married Mark Few Walton, who raised Mary Jo as his own, along with her younger brothers Mark and Ronnie. 

Mary Jo left home after high school to attend the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, but had to abandon her studies to support herself.  While working as a secretary at Ft Gordon, she met her future husband John E. Hoover on a blind date.  They were married at the home of her cousin Thelma Dixon (Harrell) in Louisville, and then toured the world as John advanced through the ranks in the Army, and Mary Jo served in the demanding role of officer’s wife.  Mary Jo and John welcomed their two daughters, Mary Kathryn and Holly, who were born at the US Military Academy at West Point, where John was teaching.   Mary Jo applied her keen intellect and many talents to raising her children and supporting her husband and his career.  She was a consummate host, superb cook, and decorator of many unique birthday cakes.  She raised her daughters to be strong, independent women and encouraged them in all they chose to do, including pursuing professional careers that circumstances had denied her.

Mary Jo was determined to complete her college education, so when she and John retired in Augusta she enrolled at Augusta College, completing a Bachelor’s Degree in History summa cum laude.  Mary Jo and John returned to Louisville to live for a number of years before moving to Evans to be near Holly and her family.

Mary Jo is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, her husband, MG John E. Hoover, daughter, Holly Hoover Bullock, cousins, Thelma Dixon (Harrell), and Jimmy Harrell, and survived by daughter Kate Hoover (Stephen E. Lee), brothers Mark F. Walton, Jr. (Celia) and Ronnie Walton (Vaudine), son-in-law, Steve Bullock, granddaughter Maggie Bullock Oliveira (Guilherme), grandson Jimmy Bullock (Samantha), great-granddaughters Maya Bullock Oliveira and Evelyn Hoover Bullock, together with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Mary Jo believed that our lives are a gift from God and she spent her life honoring him. She instilled in her children a strong moral compass grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Mary Jo will be laid to rest in in the Welch family plot in the Louisville city cemetery.  A private graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 14, 2020 with Rev. Dusty Wammack officiating. Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Louisville will be in charge of arrangements and the service can be viewed on their website at www.taylorfhlouisville.com.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to your charity of choice.

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