Mary Josephine Wilborn Obituary
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mary Josephine Putnam Wilborn, 88, of Mobile, who left her earthly home on November 26, 2023. In this time of sorrow, her family takes great comfort knowing she is now at peace in the presence of her heavenly Father.
Mary Jo or Jo, as she was often called by friends and family, was born in Haleyville, Alabama on September 25, 1935. Her family moved to the Sheffield, Alabama area in 1941. She graduated from Sheffield High School and was a founding member of the Teenettes Club. She attended Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, and the University of South Alabama, where she earned a teaching degree.
Mary Jo was predeceased by her father, James Wade Putnam and her mother, Mildred Marie Stephenson Putnam.
She was a devoted wife of 66 years to the love of her life, Walter Harrison Wilborn, (Mobile), loving mother to three daughters, Mary Elizabeth Benak, (Robert), (Dothan), Margaret Ann Hess, (Mark), (Vestavia Hills), and Amy Janet Wilborn-Espinosa, (Carlos), (Mobile), grandmother to seven grandchildren, Meghan Benak Brandt, (Matthew), Joseph Harrison Benak, (Lauren), James Stephenson Benak, (Kayla), Robert Andrew Benak (Hannah Sherrer, finance'), (all of Dothan), Thomas Jackson Hess, (Tacoma, WA), Aaron Daniel Hess, (Stella), (Birmingham), Jonathan David Hess, (Oxford, MS), Katherine Grace Wilborn, (Mobile) and great-grandmother to five great grandchildren, Harrison James Benak, Henry Robert Benak, Rials Stephenson Benak, Mary Scott Benak, (all of Dothan), and Stella Grace Hess, (Birmingham)
A gifted teacher, Mary Jo, taught in the Mobile County Public School System for over 25 years teaching math and reading to at risk elementary students. She left indelible marks on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know and learn from her. Her commitment to teaching went well beyond the classroom. In her spare time, she quietly tutored and taught adults who struggled with reading.
Upon "retirement", she assisted her husband, a retired medical school professor, with the operation and management of Henrietta's Dairy, making small-batch gourmet cheeses for the Mobile market and local restaurants.
Using her God-given creativity and ingenuity, she was a life-long learner and excelled at anything she was determined to tackle. From sewing her own wedding and bridesmaids dresses to operating the largest and heaviest farm machinery at the dairy, she accomplished everything she attempted with excellence and determination.
Mary Jo gave her time and talent to the Young Authors' Conference, an annual statewide writing event for students, and she was a past president of the Metro Mobile Literacy Council. She was a longtime member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ and attended University Church of Christ until she was physically unable to attend.
September 25, 1935 — November 26, 2023
Public Visitation Saturday, December 2, 2023 9:30 - 10:30am Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619 Text Directions Send Flowers + − Funeral Service Saturday, December 2, 2023 10:30 - 11:30am Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619
I'll miss your beautiful smile. Your friend ship and wisdom.
Mary Jo - a dear friend of many years who was a dedicated reading teacher who touched the lives of many students and also involved with literacy professional organizations! I loved her sense of humor. She was upbeat and faced life challenges with positivity and grace! Her evolvement with her husband into the very successful “cheese” business was typical of her commitment & perseverance. So long, Mary Jo.❤️📚I express my condolences to the family.
I did not have the chance to know Miss Mary Jo, but I feel like I've missed something after reading this testimony to her life. I am a good friend of her daughter Amy's, and I share and this great loss with her and other family members. God's blessing on you all in this time of grief
What a wonderful life our dear ”Aunt Jo” lived. I well remember as a boy how gracious and kind she was whenever we would visit in the family home. Sending our sincere love and sympathy Uncle WH, the girls and to all to the extended family! May you be comforted by your wonderful memories and by a firm reliance on our Heavenly Father above.
What a wonderful life our dear “ Aunt Jo” lived. As a boy when we would visit in your family home, I still remember how gracious and kind she was. Sincere sympathy to Uncle WH, the girls, and to the entire extended family.