Mary Jo English

July 23, 1919 - September 26, 2020

Mary Jo was born July 23, 1919, in Chambers County, Alabama, to Erastus Filetus “Fylie” James and Minnie Elizabeth Chapman James. The James family moved to Elmore County, Alabama, in 1921 and eventually to Opelika, Alabama, where Mary Jo and her siblings grew up. She married Lucius L. “Luke” English, a charter member of the Alabama Highway Patrol, on July 23, 1939, in Opelika; the newlyweds then moved to Huntsville, Alabama. Luke and Mary Jo later moved to Luke’s hometown of Elba, Alabama, where they opened a retail business. In 1947, they started a family and added to it in 1953. Luke, Mary Jo, Linda, and Warren moved to Gainesville, Florida, in 1959. Mary Jo sold Avon so she could meet people and be at home when her children were out of school. In later years, she worked as head cashier at Florida Book Store, after which she was hired by Campus Credit Union as a loan officer. While working at CCU, she took summer classes at Florida State University for four years to become a Financial Advisor. She eventually retired from Campus Credit Union. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Hugh Warren English of Gainesville; five brothers: W. B. James of Birmingham, Leonard W. James of LaGrange, Georgia, John Henry James of Columbus, Georgia, Jack Earl James of Opelika, and Erastus F. “Pete” James, Jr., of Graettinger, Iowa; and one sister, Frances Ruth James (Raymond) Wilson of Birmingham. She is survived by her daughter, Linda English-Holland of Ocala; daughter-in-law, Donna Pringle English of Gainesville; and brother, Tommy Hugh James of Waverly, Alabama. She leaves behind three grandchildren: Staci English (Charlie) Williams, Kyle Warren English, and Ryan Jacob (Alyssa Ciaccio) English, all of Gainesville; nine great-grandchildren: Chelsea English, Kierstyn Ellinger (Chase) Willingham, Ryanna Kay Williams, Landen Williams, Raygan “Bitty” Williams, Sander Williams, Zoe English, Cami English, and Marcelline English-Ciaccio; and four great-great grandchildren: Joshua Martin, Rylen Dayton, Karsyn and Kayden Willingham, and scores of beloved nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, October 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. at University City Church of Christ, 4626 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, with Minister Jeff Robison officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in her name to Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center, 606 NE 7th Street, Trenton, Florida 32693, or to University City Church of Christ.