Jo Stringer Mitchell

Jo Stringer Mitchell
Nov. 5, 1935 – Jan. 21, 2026
Jo Stringer Mitchell, died Jan. 21, 2026, in Hattiesburg.
She was born Nov. 5, 1935, in Tylertown, daughter of the late John Noah Stringer and Katie Dimple Harvey Craft. Tylertown was always close to her heart, and she proudly considered it her hometown throughout her life.
Jo is survived by her husband of more than 70 years, William Henry Mitchell of Hattiesburg; her three children, Merrill Gye Brown of Gulfport, Royce William Mitchell II (Lesslee) of Miramar Beach, Fla., and Emily Kay Stogner (Steve) of Hattiesburg; six grandchildren, Allen Randall Bos, Jr. (Ariana), Cassidy Stogner Bishop (Cameron) of Birmingham, Ala., Caroline Mitchell Conley (Chris) of Bradenton, Fla., Steven Mitchell Stogner (Lacey) of Brentwood, Tenn., Royce William Mitchell III (Jennifer) of Miramar Beach, Fla., and Emily Craven Stogner of Nashville, Tenn.; and eleven great-grandchildren.
After graduating from Tulane and Southern Baptist Hospital Nursing School, Jo returned to Tylertown, where she devoted herself to raising her children and serving her community. She served two years as President of the Cosmopolitan Club and was an active member of Tylertown Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School before becoming the church hostess, a role she held for many years.
Jo’s commitment to the arts and civic life extended beyond her hometown. She was appointed by Governors Cliff Finch and William Waller to the Mississippi Arts Commission, where she served for eight years. Jo and her husband, William, were honored as the Jaycee Distinguished Family of the Year in recognition of their many contributions to Tylertown and Walthall County.
In the early 1980s, Jo relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she continued her lifelong pattern of service. She served as a board member of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and was honored as a lifetime member of the Symphony Guild. She was also a board member of the Walter Anderson Museum, a member of the Pass Christian Historical Society, and a member of the Gulf Coast Red Hat Society.
After a private family memorial service, burial was in Tylertown Cemetery and was officiated by Brother Justin Knight of Tylertown Baptist Church.