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Jo Mary McGowen Bickham was born Sept. 22, 1924, in Pascagoula, Miss. She was the daughter of Franklin H. McGowen and Regina P. McGowen. She passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2020, at the age of 95. She began her working career at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., as a secretary in the War Rationing Board. Her working career in Bogalusa began with writing the “Town Talk” column for the Bogalusa Daily News. Mrs. Bickham also worked many years as Church Secretary for Superior Avenue Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband James L. Bickham Sr. She is survived by Nancy Bickham Shaw (Ralph Shaw), Regina Bickham Still (Ted Metcalf), James L. Bickham Jr., and Chris T. Bickham (Melinda Bickham); seven grandchildren, Bill Shaw, Erin Shaw, Bonnie Lovette, Patrick Still, Christopher M. Bickham, Hannah Celeste Bickham, Rachel Jo Bickham; and one great-grandchild, Kaylor Lee Lovette.

She will be missed by her many friends, especially Wannette Vaughn and Elizabeth Gibson, with whom she went on many adventures.

Services will be held at Superior Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with visitation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The memorial service will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Waylon Bailey and the Rev. Clay Norwood.

Memorials may be sent to the building fund at Superior Avenue Baptist Church.