Although Mrs. Ligon was from Marianna, she and her family have been closely associated with Marvell Academy for many years and are well known by folks in the surrounding area connected with the school and community.


from the Dec. 5, 2007, Central Delta Argus-Sun:


MARIANNA Betty Jo Grantham Ligon, 77, of Marianna, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at UAMS in Little Rock.

She was born in Parkin on March 22, 1930, to Ralph and Ruby Shaw Grantham. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Marianna, a member of the United Methodist Women, and had served on the Democratic Central Committe in Lee County.

"Mama Jo" was dearly loved by her family and those around her. She loved to garden and raise and hybridize daylilies.
She was preceded in death by two children, Leah "Tish" Ligon and Micky Ligon.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Ligon Jr. of Marianna; three sons, Fred Ligon III and wife Kay, Shaw Ligon and wife Janet, and Chuck Ligon and wife Tracie, all of Marvell; a daughter-in-law, Susan Ligon of Marvell; two brothers, Jimmy Grantham of Wynne and Alfred Grantham of Henderson, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Spring Creek Cementery near Aubrey. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Marianna.

Pallbearers will be Alfred Brock, Joe Grantham, Ramey Ligon, Martin Chaffin, J.B. Smith and Jeff Sparks. Honorary pallbearers will be Marvin Wilson, George McClure, James Chandler, Wilson Kell, Earl Stiles, Danny Felton and A.B. Thompson.

Memorials may be made to the Spring Creek Cemetery Fund, Fred Ligon Jr., 287 Lee 144 Rd., Marianna, AR 72360, or UAMS Myeloma Institute #816, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205-9985

Arrangements were by Bob Neal and Sons Brickell Funeral Home of Marvell.