Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Jo O’Keefe were Monday, May 20, 2019, at Brookhaven Funeral Home in (894 Natchez Drive) Brookhaven, Mississippi, at 3 p.m. with burial in the Easthaven Cemetery in Brookhaven. Rev. Greg Warnock officiated the services with Brookhaven Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Visitation was at Brookhaven Funeral Home on Monday, May 20, 2019, from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Mrs. O’Keefe, 80, of Jackson, Mississippi, passed from this life on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson with her loving family by her side.  She was born on June 24, 1938 in Pike County, Mississippi, to Joe O’Quinn and Velma Aultman O’Quinn Nations. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Mary Jo graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1956 where she excelled in varsity basketball and tennis. She was also a majorette in the high school band. Mary Jo earned a scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi as a Dixie Darling by winning Water Carnival Queen. She completed her two-year secretarial science degree from Southern and was immediately hired by the Mississippi State Employment Service in Brookhaven as a stenographer.  She was promoted to the state office in Jackson.  Mary Jo was a caregiver for many years for her mother.

Preceding her in death were her parents and stepfather, Marshall Nations.

Survivors are her sister, Doris Panzica (Robert) of Brookhaven, Mississippi; nephews Richard Panzica (Becky) and Greg Panzica (Elizabeth); stepsister Floy Mathis (Meade); grandnephew Daniel Panzica and grandniece Haylee Panzica; and a host of family and friends.

To share condolences please visit www.brookhavenfuneralhome.net.