SHAWNEE, Okla. — Woody Guthrie's youngest sister, Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon, passed away on Saturday in Shawnee. She was 96.
The greatest passion Mary Jo has was being the spokesperson and cheerleader of the famed Oklahoma folk icon, her obituary read.
In a statement, the Woody Guthrie Center said: "nobody loved Woody Guthrie as much as his baby sister Mary Jo did."
Mary Jo was born to Charlie and Nora Guthrie on December 24, 1922 in Okemah. She lived in several parts of Texas before moving back to Oklahoma and meeting the love of her life, Hulett Edgmon, in Konawa.
Hulett joined the Army and fought in World War II, and after his tour of duty ended, Mary Jo, Hulett and their only child Hugh, moved to Seminole, where Mary Jo lived for 65 years.
"Anyone that knew Mary Jo could attest to the fact that she absolutely loved chocolate, family, life, and Woody’s world," the obituary read. "She was the epitome of optimism and bringing out the best in people. She never met a stranger, never stood for pessimistic thinking, and never felt sorry for herself or her set of circumstances."
Memorial Services are Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Woody Guthrie Festival Coalition.
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