On March 1, 2024, Josephine “Jo” Selby Hayes was called to her heavenly home.  Jo was born November 21, 1930 in Cambridge, Nebraska to Harriet Violet (Dawson) Selby and Peter Clide Selby.  Jo was the 4^th generation to be born on the Selby family farm.

In September 1951 she married Edward Hayes, in 1966 they divorced. To this union were born two daughters Linda Sue Hayes Hawkins (deceased) and Judith Ann Hayes Davis of Nixa.  Jo was blessed with two granddaughters, Melissa Hawkins (deceased), and Maria Davis of Springfield.

Jo was one of 9 siblings, 5 girls and 4 boys.  Six of those siblings preceded her in death while Sister Bertha and Brother James survive.

She graduated from Conway, MO High School in 1949.  After high school, she worked many different jobs in the Lebanon, MO area.  She was a personal companion, restaurant worker, owned and operated her own house cleaning business and was employed by Springfield Lily Tulip for 15 years.  As a volunteer she was active in the Girl Scouts, PTA at Maria’s school, the Ozarks Genealogy Society and was a children’s Sunday School teacher for many years.  She was an active member of Orchard Crest Baptist Church at the time of her death.

Jo raised Maria from an infant but still took time to enjoy many different hobbies such as embroidery, quilting, pen pals in the United States, Canada, and England, photography, painting, and raising houseplants.  She was passionate about maintaining a library of family photos and related history.

When Jo was asked about some “fun” stories one of her favorites was when she was in high school, Jo and 4 friends skipped school and bought a $.25 ticket to ride the train to Lebanon for the day.  Since this was totally unbeknownst by any of the parents, they had to carefully watch the clock in order to return to Conway in time to ride the school bus home. None of the parents ever learned of their adventure.

She also shared that during a school Halloween party a group of girls left the party to use the outside ‘facility’.  However, someone had to stand watch at the ‘facility’ as boys were notorious to try to turn it over with a girl inside.

Jo will always be remembered by her sharp wit and determination, and possibly a little stubbornness. Her heart was full of love for Jesus, Maria, and her church. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her and we know she appreciates your attendance today.