She was born on June 3, 1929 in Demopolis, AL to the late Giles David and Lida Alston Chapman. She grew up in Grove Hill, AL and graduated from Grove Hill High School. She also attended University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL.
Jo married the love of her life, Donald Travis McVay on November 24, 1949 in Grove Hill, AL. They moved to Mobile, AL where she was stay-at-home mother who raised three children.
She was known for the love she put into her family to make sure all of their needs were met and taken care of. She loved her family deeply. She also had a love for all Auburn University sports, and was very animated while watching Auburn football. She was also an avid Atlanta Braves fan. She was a long-time member of Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile that she attended regularly prior to moving to Leeds, AL to live with her daughter Donna. She also had a love for making quilts, and was a member of the Quilters’ Guild in Mobile. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and her family on a daily basis. She was a wonderful mother who always put her children first. She was loved by her family and friends for being someone to share exciting news with, or was great to give advice on life. She was the rock of the McVay family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Travis McVay, her brother Giles David Chapman Jr. and her twin sister Joyce Chapman Fleming. She is survived by her children; Mike McVay (Victoria), Donna Grundhoefer (Donny) and Jody Dixon (Darrell); grandchildren Giles McVay (Jessica), Travis Betbeze (Brittany), Samantha Betbeze (Mafa), and Dylan Dixon; as well as 7 great-grandchildren and her nieces and nephew. All of whom she loved with all her heart.
JUNE 3, 1929 – APRIL 11, 2024
The grave-side service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile AL on Thursday, April 18 at 2:00pm. Friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects. If you plan to come, please arrive at the parking lot for Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 1:30 for the procession to the grave site.
