Jo Elizabeth Lansford, began life's journey on July 22, 1942, at the family home in Clarendon, Arkansas. As the third and lastborn of Charlie and Addie Edwards, she would become simply known as Jo. She received education through the public schools becoming a 1960 graduate of Clarendon High School.

On May 31, 1963, she married Arnold Lansford. The sweet and tender ceremony took place in Holly Grove, where Jo and Arnold would remain in the area for a time before moving to Clarendon. Their home was blessed with the birth of two sons; Arnold Jr. and Rusty. Sadly, the family experienced the loss of Arnold Jr. at the young age of 24, and on March 3, 1992, the passing of Arnold Sr. Jo would be blessed to find companionship again after reuniting with an old friend, Melvin Smith. They would spend many years together before his passing on February 9, 2013.

Jo worked outside the home beginning with the United Telephone Company in Clarendon and the J&M Restaurant. She began a fifth-teen year career with Mad Butcher before securing a position with the Monroe County Sherriff's Department where Jo worked as a Dispatcher. In 2004, after ten years of dedicated service, she retired to enjoy time with family and friends.

In leisure time Jo enjoyed working word puzzles, reading, cooking and times spent with the ladies of the Red Hat Club.

Jo was a Christian and knew the importance of a relationship with her Saviour Jesus Christ. Beginning in early childhood she attended times of worship at the First Assembly of God Church in Clarendon. Through the years she has remained a lifetime member and enjoyed times spent with her church family.

On Sunday, June 13, 2021, at the age of 78, Jo's earthly journey ended and she was escorted through the gates of her Heavenly Home. May god's love heal your pain and His peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories. Jo was preceded in death by parents, Charlie and Addie (Neal) Edwards; husbands, Arnold Lansford Sr., son, Arnold Lansford Jr.; companion, Melvin Smith; brother, Frankie Edwards; sisters, Rosie Lee Richardson, Shirley Ann Lamb and Elizora Edwards who passed at the age of fifth-teen.

She is survived by son Rusty Lynn Lansford and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Landon and wife Kelli, Jacob and wife Rachel, Alyssa and husband Jacob; great grandchildren, Gus, Gavin, Payton, Madison, Blakely, Kinley, Tucker, Silas and Roman, Melvin Smiths family, Shelia Funderburg, Wendy Richardson, David Smith, Courtney Blalack and Chip Blalack.

Visitation Wednesday 6-8PM at Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home Clarendon, Graveside Services on Thursday at 11AM Shiloh Cemetery in Holly Grove.