Josephine "JoJo" Barranco Leflore, 86, of Greenwood passed away peacefully on June 22, 2016 at her home in Greenwood, MS, surrounded by her family and friends. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, June 25, 2016. The Mass will be followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton. Father Gregg Plata will officiate. Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
JoJo was born in Greenwood on October 8, 1929 to Ralph Frank Barranco and Camile Serio Barranco. She graduated from Greenwood High School and worked at the Bank of Greenwood for many years. She later worked as a librarian at Bankston Elementary School and also in other capacities at W.C. Williams School.
Many will remember Josephine for her beautiful voice and singing ability. She was not only a longtime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church choir, she also sang in many weddings and funerals. For a number of years, she also shared her singing talent with Jewish congregations in Greenwood, Clarksdale, and Cleveland for the Jewish High Holidays. Her beautiful, God given voice inspired Lee Abraham to produce a CD and cassette tape of gospel songs sung by Josephine, "The Message", that was dedicated to his late parents.
Josephine was a member of Greenwood Garden Club and Four Seasons Garden Club. Her rose garden and gardenias were always a favorite for anyone who stopped by. JoJo will always be remembered for her famous pasta gravy, salad dressing and wonderful cooking skills. She loved having her family and friends together and maintained the tradition of Sunday pasta in her kitchen each and every week where she took pleasure in feeding her entire family and friends.
Josephine is survived by her children and their spouses, Margaret and Fred Carl, Jr., William and Romana Leflore, Frank and Beth Leflore; grandchildren, Chris Carl, Lindy and Marty Taylor, Lee and Loren Leflore, Spencer Leflore, Mary Margaret and Wade Evans; and great grandchildren, William Nevin Taylor, Kullin Martin Taylor, and Ellen Leflore "Elle" Evans. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Edward Barranco of Madison, MS, and nieces, Stacy Barranco-Kalous of Plateo, MO, and Lesley Barranco Gilliam of Madison, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William Lee Leflore, Sr.
Pallbearers will be Perry Whites, Ricky Belk, John Doty Porter, Danny Smith, Daniel Smith, Duncan Fraiser, Parker Johnson, Edwin Crenshaw, Quinton Perry, Mark Tyler, T.U. Black, Bob Gregory, Johnny Serio, and Rhynne Howard. The family would like to extend a special thank you and express their sincere appreciation to Jojo's loving caregivers, Vonna Collins, B.J. Blackmon, Shenita Whickum, and Laura Lessie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.