Josephine T. Head's Obituary
Mary Josephine Thrower Head peacefully passed away in her home in the loving company of her family Thursday, August 25, 2016. She is blessedly reunited with her husband of 37 years, Comer Dan Head and her grandson, Ryan W. Guite. Her legacy lives on in her devoted children, Danna Crowther, Deborah Guite’(Laurie Wiggins), Gilbert Head(Diane) and James Leonard. Her love and kisses are forever left to 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. One of 11 children, Jo is warmly remembered by her only living sibling, Dorothy Klintworth.
Jo was born in Charlotte, NC on March 22, 1918 to William Franklin Thrower and Ethel Londora Noles Thrower. To her, she was born a proud, “city girl.” She admired her mother’s hard work as a homemaker, as well as, her father’s dedication to his long career at the Coca-Cola plant that held so many memories. Her parents’ influence drove her to work hard and overcome all obstacles. Jo’s “can-do” attitude combined with an insatiable desire to learn and a tremendous capacity for knowledge, allowed her to quickly adapt to the vast changes she saw throughout her 98 years. From the Great Depression to the era of iPads Jo never missed a beat.
She would say “pretty is as pretty does” and she embodied this philosophy.
In the 1950’s fate brought her to work in a small sandwich shop on a naval base where she met her sailor Comer. Until the very last, she gushed with pride at Dan’s lengthy dedicated career as a serviceman. Together, they successfully ran their own business, Kempsville Amoco for over a decade while being a devoted mother. Even after the loss of her husband in 1989, she strove forward with tenacity. In her lifetime, she became an accomplished artist and world traveler. She had a passion for books, fishing, gardening and took up golf in her 70’s. Much of her time in Florida was spent making bears for Camp Boggy Creek.
Intelligence, grace, strength, courage, humor, generosity, independence and kindness are weak descriptions for our Josephine. She made us laugh while telling us how it is and most often outwitted us. She is our gift to the halls of Heaven and we are truly blessed to know her light shines down upon us all.
Funeral arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Lakeland, Fl. burial at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell FL. Memorial donations can be made to Camp Boggy Creek at 30500 Brantley Branch Rd. Eustis, Fl. 32736.
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