Mary Josephine “Jo” Harbor, 84
May 27, 1941 – March 27, 2026
Nettleton-Mary Josephine Cox Harbor (known to all as Jo), must have cooked hundreds of thousands of hamburgers over her 53 plus year career as a cook and manager at the legendary East Tupelo establishment known far and wide as Johnnie’s Drive Inn-where Elvis dined.
Jo was a beloved soul. She could be quiet or noisy depending on the situation. Her persona was that of a woman who was destined to provide for herself and her family and her work ethic was unquestioned. She knew her customers by name and knew exactly how they wanted their food prepared. Jo minded her job and her business. She knew whole families of people who respected her for her love and concern of them and always good food.
Her loyalty was unquestioned. Her goal was to get through this life so she would be rewarded for her faithfulness to God, her family, her job, all things East Tupelo and all her customers. Jo was a delight to know. Her simple, steady approach to life made her an unsung hero to several generations of people in this area and there was no greater Elvis Presley fan than she.
Jo was born in East Tupelo at home on May 27, 1941 to Wilder Cox and Lizzie Irene Kingsley Cox. Jo went to be with Jesus from Sanctuary Hospice House on March 27, 2026 at 85 years of age. She attended Lawhon School and made her place in life with the people of East Tupelo. Jo knew struggle and handled it honestly and with a smile. She enjoyed shopping and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren, who knew her lovingly called her NaNa!
A service celebrating Jo’s life and times will be held at 11 AM Thursday, April 2, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Brandon Wroten and Steve Holland speaking. Burial will follow in Doty’s Chapel Cemetery near Shannon. Visitation will be from 5PM-7PM on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) and from 10 AM-service time on Thursday-all at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo Chapel. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 11 AM Thursday, and will be archived thereafter.
Jo is survived by her son, Jason Harbor of Nettleton; her grandchildren, Kirsten Harbor (William Weldon) of Fulton, Courtney Harbor of Shannon and Tiffney Wroten (Brandon) of Fulton; her 4 great grandchildren, Waylon Weldon, Kolter Weldon, Bentley Wroten and one due soon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilder and Irene Cox and her brother, Everett Cox and sister, Bonnie Huey.
Pallbearers will be William Weldon, Brandon Wroten, Jason Grant, Mark Team, Dustin Huey, Shane Huey, Joey Davis and John Wooten. Honorary pallbearers will be current and all former employees of Johnnie’s Drive Inn, including her longtime boss, Don Knight.
Condolences may be posted to Jo’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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