Jo Osborne

Josephine Boyd Osborne

Jo Osborne passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home in Georgetown, TN.

Born September 16, 1938, on her parent’s farm in Dry Branch, VA, she was the daughter of the late Percy Ellis Boyd and Pearlene Robinson Boyd and is preceded in death by her son, Stephen Darryl Osborne, and brother, Charles Steele Robinson. 

Jo is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Mike Osborne; daughter Rene Osborne Whigham and “favorite” son-in-law Chad Eric Whigham; grandsons Stephen Andrew Osborne, Colton Mathew Ward, and Caleb Mikel Whigham; sisters Doris Rymer, Faye Sedlacek (Tony) and Jane Rhea (Mickey); special nieces Sherry Huffman Cox, Heather Curtis, Cameron Snead, Kim Monk, and Katrina Robinson; nephew Anthony Robinson; and very special friends Addie Davis, Helen Owens, Teresa Richardson, and Russ Puckett.

Jo was a life-long resident of Russell County, VA and a retired employee of Southwest Virgina Community College following a long career as an executive assistant to the Dean of Instruction. Jo was an active member of DAR serving two terms as Regent for the Tabitha Adams Russell Chapter while attending and speaking at many state conferences and other DAR ceremonies. She was a lifetime member of the Belfast-Rosedale Fire Department where she served as secretary of the board for several years. Those that didn’t already know Jo got to experience her vibrant personality and contagious positivity while playing bingo at the Fire Department Auxiliary Building each week. 

Jo was a member of Dennison United Methodist Church in Rosedale, VA, and recently became a member of Eastview Baptist Church in Georgetown, TN. The Eastview church members quickly experienced Jo’s gentle warmth and kindness as she pulled them in for hugs and kisses each week. Her new church family provided her joy and comfort after moving from Rosedale to Georgetown in 2022. 

Jo loved unconditionally and never met a stranger, including the four-legged kind. No animal ever went hungry if Jo was around. She had an enormous heart, radiated compassion, her faith in Jesus Christ was unwavering, and her greatest joy was being “Mamma Jo” to her three grandsons. 

Memorial Service will be held Sunday, June 30th at Companion Funeral Home, 2415 Georgetown Road, Cleveland TN. Visitation will be 2:30 – 4:00 pm and Pastor Shane Lawson will conduct her funeral at 4:00 pm. 

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 27th at the Belfast-Rosedale Fire Department Auxiliary Building, 22298 US Hwy 19, Cedar Bluff, VA from 11:00 am – noon with Reverend Paul Hite officiating. Jo’s family and friends are encouraged to bring a special “Jo” story to share. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eastview Baptist Church Building Fund, 2083 No Pone Road, Georgetown, TN 37336 or Belfast-Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department, 22298 US Highway 19, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609.