Mary Jo McCorkle

Mary Jo McCorkle, age 93, of Arkadelphia died December 29, 2010, at Baptist Hospital, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Gussie Shannon and George Porter Wilson of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mrs. McCorkle attended Henderson State University and graduated in 1938. While at HSU she was selected the Queen of Hearts, played basketball and was a cheerleader for the Reddies. She proudly wore her letter sweater. She served as the Henderson State University Alumni President from 1966-1967; received the H Award in 1973 and received the Presidential Centennial Award and Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990. She served as a Charter Board Member of Group Living Inc. from 1973-1985 and was President of the Board from 1982-1985. Mrs. McCorkle was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia, served many years as a Sunday School teacher and received an honorary life membership from the Presbyterian Women in 1986. She was also a dedicated member of Church Women United in Arkadelphia. She received the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce President's Award in 1985 and the City of Arkadelphia Blakely Award for extraordinary voluntary service. After the death of her husband in 1957, she operated the McCorkle Office Supply until 1972. She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil McCorkle Jr.; a daughter, Jo Carol McCorkle; a sister, Emma Jean Kniseley; and a brother, George Douglass Wilson. She is survived by one son, Ed McCorkle and his wife Betty of Arkadelphia; two grandchildren, Mary Lindsay White (John) of Richmond, Virginia, and John Philip McCorkle of Arkadelphia; two great-grandchildren, William Asher White and Philip Porter White of Richmond, Virginia; a sister, Helen B. Wilson of Hot Springs; a niece, Patricia K. Warren of San Diego, California; and a nephew, James P. Shults of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The family expresses its appreciation to Twin Rivers Health and Rehab of Arkadelphia and Baptist Hospital of Arkadelphia and Little Rock for their kind and loving care. Memorials, if desired, may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia; Group Living, Inc. of Arkadelphia; HSU Foundation - Jo Carol McCorkle Scholarship or the charity of your choice. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery of Arkadelphia at 1pm Friday, December 31, 2010, followed by a Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia at 2 p.m. The family will have visitation at the church immediately following the Memorial Service. Online guest register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.