Mary J. LaFon

Mary Jo Britton LaFon, known by her friends as “Jody”, was born February 24, 1940, in Mobile, Alabama. She unexpectedly passed away on December 3, 2024, at 84 years old. Jody graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama in 1957. She graduated from Providence School of Nursing in Mobile as an RN in 1960.

Jody met the love of her life, Jim LaFon, on a blind date while in nursing school. She said his baby blue convertible won her over! They were married March 30, 1963, and had 61 wonderful years together. Jim proceeded her in death by only six weeks. They spent many years traveling to many cities and countries during Jim’s military career.

Jody has resided in Grand Prairie, Texas since 1985. She was a member of First Baptist Dallas for 37 years and is currently a member of The Oaks Baptist Church. Jody served in children’s choirs, Sunday school, Bible schools and as the church pianist at many churches through the years. She was active in Sunday school and AWANA at FBC Dallas along with mission trips to the orphanages in Mexico. They took grandkids with them on mission trips when they could. Jody was always studying her Bible and was a great prayer warrior. We all knew she was praying for us and knew her prayers made a huge impact on our lives. She was very generous – giving to charities and having families over for a meal.

Jody lost her mother, Lona Alvada Harger, when she was only 9 years old. Her father, Jasper Britton, passed away the year before she was married. All of Jody’s siblings proceeded her in death – Jasper Jr. Britton, Jim (Eukie) Britton, Helen (John) Smith, Betty (Melvin) Klein, Billy Britton. Jody had two children – Linn (Ned) Beall of Fort Worth, Texas and Chris (Heather) LaFon of Lebanon, Missouri. She never forgot birthdays and faithfully sent cards to her 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way in the next few months!) Jody is much loved by her family along with her many nieces and nephews. Her home was always open to family and others who needed a place to live. Jody was known to the grandchildren as “Memaw”. Her family is still trying to grasp this great loss!

Serving as pallbearers are Lindsey LaFon, Jeremiah LaFon, Elijah LaFon, Josiah Beall, Zachary Beall and Christina (Beall) Rivera.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Ethnos360 (New Tribes Mission) at http://ethnos360.org/give