Mary Jo Banner

Mary Josephine “Jo” Buttram Banner, age 93, of Knoxville, Tennessee, went to her heavenly home on June 27, 2022 at The Laurels of Summit Ridge, Asheville, NC. Jo was born in McMinn County, TN on March 24, 1929 and raised in Athens, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, A. G. Buttram and Mary Etta Bridgeman Buttram, her beloved husband of 44 years, Don Lawrence Banner, Sr., her sisters Frances Wade, Ruth Miller, Mildred Buttram, and brothers Willis Buttram and James Buttram.

Jo graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN and became a loving mother and longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN. She never met a stranger and was an unofficial self-appointed ambassador for the city of Knoxville, where she was an avid University of Tennessee football season ticket holder for many years. Always up for any new adventure, she enjoyed volunteering, traveling, visiting family, and playing bridge with her close circle of friends.

Jo is survived by her daughters Lynn Nicholas (Nick) of Black Mountain, NC and Karen Zimmer (Kevin) of Black Mountain, NC; son Don Lawrence “Larry” Banner, Jr. (Susan) of Franklin, TN; grandchildren Lauren Hill (Matt) of Murfreesboro, TN, Ryan Banner (Heather) of Fairview, TN, Tyler Zimmer (Carol) of Castle Rock, CO, Olivia Kirkpatrick (Brian) of Spring Hill, TN, and Spencer Zimmer of Columbus, OH; great-grandchildren Owen Banner, Carter Hill, Brooks Kirkpatrick; and several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will commence at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Knoxville followed by an 11 AM “Celebration of Her Life” with Rev. David Tabor officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after at a reception at the church. A private interment will be at the family plot beside her late husband in Athens, TN. The Wesley Builders Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 5613 Western Ave. Knoxville, TN 37921. These donations will benefit the Youth Program.

Weaver Funeral Home

5815 Western Ave

Knoxville, TN 37921