Funeral services for Jo Ann Hewlett Apperson, of Meridian will be Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, at noon at First Christian Church with burial at Magnolia Cemetery. Dr. Mark Benson will officiate. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Mrs. Apperson, 86, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Meridian. She was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, April 9, 1930, to Dorothy Ray Taylor Hewlett and Jefferson St. Clair Hewlett. She was a proud descendent of the Hewlett and Smith families of Spotsylvania County Virginia. She was a graduate of Owensboro High School and was always proud that she was first chair trumpet for the Owensboro Red Devil marching band. After graduation, she attended Transylvania College in Lexington, Kentucky, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. While in college, she met the enduring love of her life, William Burrus Apperson, who she married in 1951.

She devoted her life to her beloved husband and the churches he pastored for 49 years, working side by side in a humble and unique way, ministering with him to their congregations and serving the people he led. After his death in 2001 she continued to assist First Christian Church of Meridian in a myriad of ways.

She was the founder of the Annual KY Ham Breakfast hosted by First Christian Church for the past 53 years and for many years she was the top ticket seller throughout the community. She was honored by the Christian Women’s Fellowship by having a Circle named for her. She was a member of the Meridian Symphony League and was a life member of Meridian Junior Auxiliary. She was an expert at various methods of needlework, always creating new designs and lovingly sharing them. She designed and needle-pointed Christmas stockings for each of her grandchildren and much of her work is preserved both in the church sanctuary and in the homes of her children and their families. She served her church, her Savior, her family and her community in a quiet, unassuming way. As a mother and wife, she was tirelessly committed to love and service. A very patient, kind and gentle lady was she.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a sister, Jean Taylor Hewlett; her dear husband, William; and a grandchild, William Wilson Valentine.

Survivors are her daughters, Amy Wilson Apperson Valentine (Dennis), of Brookhaven; and Ann Burrus Apperson Compton (John), of Meridian; six grandchildren, Kathleen Valentine Calcote (Colby), John Hays Compton (Carrie), William Hewlett Compton (Sarah), Eleanor Valentine Hartzog (Trent), Patrick Covington Valentine, and Caroline Dimmitt Compton; five great-grandchildren; two special sisters-in-law, Rainey Bailey Apperson, of Murray, Kentucky and Barbara Apperson St. Aubin of Bethesda, Maryland; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her family is truly grateful to Ruby Brown Knox and Darlene Gibbs, who became her friends and helpers and who loved her very much.

Pallbearers will be Colby Calcote, John Hays Compton, William Hewlett Compton, Trent Hartzog, Patrick Covington Valentine, David Gilmore, Buddy Bennett and Ed Brown Jr.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 1301 23rd Ave. Meridian, MS 39601 or the Will Valentine Scholarship of Brookhaven Junior Auxiliary, P.O. Box 169, Brookhaven, MS 39602.

“Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call. Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God.”

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.