Martha Jo English, 89, of Taylorsville, MS, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Jasper County Nursing Home in Bay Springs, MS. Born on May 10, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi, Martha Jo cherished her family and the memories of growing up in Laurel. She married her beloved Jeff on September 16, 1956, at West Laurel Baptist Church, and they shared 56 wonderful years together, raising their family with pride.

Martha Jo dedicated 17 years of her life as secretary at Taylorsville High School and was an active member of the Lydia Sunday School Class at Taylorsville First Baptist Church. She will be fondly remembered for her kind and beautiful smile.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff H. English; her father, Chester Garfield Varner; her mother, Mary Margaret Wooten Varner; and her son-in-laws, Alex Sullivan and William Gaylon Owens, Sr.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Margaret Owens, Kathy Eason (Allan), and Elle Sullivan; her grandchildren, Mandy Black (Troy), Carlie Thompson (Guss), Paul Sullivan (Sara Grace Duncan), and Ethan Sullivan; and her great-grandchild, Harper Black.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 1:00PM until 2:00PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel, located at 4593 Indian Springs Rd, Laurel, MS. Funeral services will follow at 2:00PM at the same location, with Dr. Frankie Clark officiating. Burial will take place at Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Pallbearers will include Paul Sullivan, Guss Thompson, Daniel Booth, and David Clyde Blakeney, with honorary pallbearers Allan Eason, Troy Black, and Ethan Sullivan.

The family extends a special thanks to all employees at Jasper County Nursing Home for the superb care and love she received. An online guestbook is available at www.colonialchapellaurel.com.