Obituary: Jo Ester "Mama Jo" Brassell, June 2, 1954–October 27, 2025 (age 71)
Jo Ester Brassell was born June 2, 1954, to the late J.D. and Ester Townsend Egerson, in Lafayette County, Mississippi. She was raised as a daughter by her aunt, Willie Mae Joy.
Jo Ester, “Mama Jo,” as she was affectionately called, confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at North Hopewell MB Church. She later united with Apostolic Sanctuary of Praise (ASOP) Church in Abbeville, Mississippi, where you could find her dressed in her beautiful suits and adorned in colorful hats, as she continued her Christian work.
Mama Jo received her formal education in the Lafayette County School District. She was united in holy matrimony to Rayford “Bo” Brassell. Together they raised three loving children. “Bo” was the love of her life, they were inseparable, but he passed away on September 1, 2025, after a brief illness. “Bo’s” obituary said that she was the apple of his eye. His constant companion and that they did everything together.
Mama Jo was a fantastic cook. She said that she had been cooking all of her life. She cooked at the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at the University of Mississippi.
In 2005, she stepped out on faith and opened her own restaurant, “MAMA JO’S COUNTRY KITCHEN,” and received full support from the community. When you walked in you were always greeted with a warm welcome, a huge smile and the smell of delicious food and cakes. She stated that she didn’t learn how to cook, she called it, “her spiritual gift from God.” She would give you that “Mama Jo” smile and say that her cakes were baked with love.
Her husband even joined her and worked by her side in the restaurant and one of their most cherished traditions was preparing and serving the Annual Thanksgiving meal for the elderly. Yes, their bond was one of true devotion, partnership, love and joy and Mama Jo was not going to break that bond.
On Monday, October 27, 2025, one month and 26 days after Bo’s transitioning, Mama Jo was reunited with her loving husband.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory: three children, Kelvin (Yolanda) Egerson, Rayburn (Benita) Brassell and Tambra (Joshua) Golden, all of Taylor, MS; her siblings, Mittie Egerson, Janice Egerson, Cindy Egerson, Debra Huston, Francis (Robert) Gray, Jenny Phillips and Lee Anthony (Mina) Brown, all of Jackson, MS; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, her in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Along with her parents and her husband, Jo Ester is preceded in death by two sisters, Jerri Mae Tyson and Josephine Egerson and one brother, Ronnie Joe Egerson.
Please keep the Brassell/Egerson family in your prayers.
Visitation
Friday, November 7, 2025
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
L. Hodges Funeral Service
721 Damascus Road
Oxford, MS 38655
Funeral Service
Saturday, November 8, 2025
11:00 AM
Apostolic Sanctuary of Praise (ASOP)
786 Hwy 7 North
Abbeville, MS 38601
Burial
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Apostolic Sanctuary of Praise (ASOP)
786 Hwy 7 North
Abbeville, MS 38601
Repass
Apostolic Sanctuary of Praise (ASOP)
786 Hwy 7 North
Abbeville, MS 38601
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