Jo Louise Brown, age 97, of Zoar, Ohio, died Friday, January 3, 2025, at her home in Zoar. She was born November 5, 1927, in Sarahsville, the only child of Philip L. and Louise Young McWilliams. Jo Louise was a 1945 graduate of Sarahsville High School and served as deputy auditor of Noble County in Caldwell and Wayne County in Wooster. In 1952, she was wed to Dean Brown. Over their 63 years of marriage, they resided in Wilmington, Delaware, and Wooster and North Canton, Ohio. In 1972, they made the historic village of Zoar, Ohio, their home. There, she was a faithful volunteer and life-member of the Zoar Community Association, for which she served as trustee, treasurer, and chairman of many fund-raising events. Jo was co-founder and co-owner of Kimball-Brown Estate Sales in Canton, from which she retired in 2010. She was a member of the Sarahsville Methodist Episcopal Church and a staunch member and supporter of the Republican Party. Although Jo never had children, she was a mother figure to many.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Dean; special cousins, William and James Shaw; and her godson, Lee Stottsberry.
She is survived by her goddaughter-in-law, Kay Stottsberry and her children, Will (April) Stottsberry, Jess (Judy) Stottsberry, and Cole Stottsberry; her long time friend and business partner, Elaine (Bruce) Kimbell; special friends, Kitty and Rick Zerger, David Irwin, Lisa and Jim Pope, Tommy (Cheryl) Stottsberry, Luke Stottsberry and Jackie Wilson; and her miniature schnauzer, Buster.
Friends may call Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 11AM-1PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will follow visitation at 1PM with Ken Perkins officiating. Burial will follow at Village View Cemetery in Sarahsville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Zoar Community Association at www.zoarhistoricvillage.com.
