Jo Ruth Ragan McClain, 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009.  

Born May 11, 1929 in Pelahatchie, Miss., Jo Ruth grew up in Edwards, graduating from Edwards High School in 1947. She attended MSCW and was a member of the Lockhearts Social Club, then attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. While raising her family in Vicksburg, Jo Ruth was an active member of the community and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg. She was president of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary from 1966-67 and served on the Board for numerous years. After moving back to Edwards in 1978, Jo Ruth was a member of the Edwards United Methodist Church. 

Jo Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Fleming (Buck) Ragan and Anna Marie Robbins Ragan; sister, Ann Ragan Duncan; and infant daughter, Anna Marie McClain.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Wilson H. McClain, Jr.; and children, Wilson McClain III (Lee) of Coldspring, Texas, Kathleen Jenkins Bond (Edward Bond) of Natchez and Marcia McClain McKinzie (Lee) of Baton Rouge; as well as two grandsons, Wilson Buford (Buck) Jenkins and Scott Ragan McKinzie; nieces, Ann Ragan Duncan and Kate Duncan Carlson; and nephews, Robert Francis (Buck) Duncan and William Marion (Bill) Duncan. Services will be held at the Edwards United Methodist Church, 211 Magnolia St. in Edwards, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be today, Dec. 2, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave. in Vicksburg, and at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec.3, at the Edwards United Methodist Church.  

Pallbearers include George Hill, Buck Jenkins, Scott McKinzie, Fred Newcomb, Ed Pace and Dennis Wood. 

Honorary pallbearers are Emmett Atwood, Edward Bond, Richard Boone, Bill Duncan, Buck Duncan, Louis Field, Dr. James Galyean, Dink Hataway, Pat Hubbard, Pete Hubbard, Tim Hubbard, Larry McNair, Bill Montgomery, Jeff Montgomery, Monty Montgomery and Bardie Roberts. 

Memorials may be made to the Edwards United Methodist Church, c/o Memorial Secretary, 1202 Deer Crossing, Edwards, MS 39066 and the Edwar