Jo Frances Markham

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Jo Frances Porter Markham, 81, longtime resident of Maury County, died Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Poplar Estates.

A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Dawson and Rev. Tommy Clark officiating. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 3:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in the Williamsport Methodist Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Family Baptist Church 2790 Pulaski Hwy, Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born on October 13, 1944 in Columbia, TN, she was the daughter of the late Otey Porter and the late Martha Rice Porter. Mrs. Markham was a graduate of Columbia Central High School where she was a cheerleader. She was extremely active in many clubs, both in and out of school, like the Jay Cees. On January 26, 1963, she married the love of her life, Arthur Milton Markham, III, who preceded her in death on Sunday, July 12, 2009. Mrs. Markham worked for the Maury County Board of Education as an attendance clerk for many years. Above all, she was a loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother and longtime member of First Baptist Church where she was involved in many ministries, taught children’s music classes, and Sunday School.

She is survived by her daughters, Martha Jane Markham (Tommy) Clark of Jonesborough, Jo Anna Markham (Greg) Neece of Williamsport; four grandchildren, Brittany (Kike) Astorga of Mexico, Wesley (JaiQuing) Clark of China, Julia (Jeremiah) Leonard of Germany, and Jody Neece of Williamsport; seven great-grandchildren that she adored, Chloe, Clark, Elliot, Bruce, Baxton, Esther, and Jaxon; brother, O’Henry (Lynn) Porter of Chattanooga; brother-in-law, John Markham of Columbia; sister-in-law, Linda Baumstark of Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins that she adored.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her in-laws, A. M. Markham Jr. and Betty Markham; sisters-in-law, Linda Porter and Jackie Markham; and brother-in-law, David Baumstark.