Obituary of Jo Marie Gulledge

Jo Marie Lewis Gulledge (March 10, 1950 - November 2, 2014) Jo was a loving mother, devoted wife, loyal friend, and accomplished professional. She was born in Charlotte, NC; lived in Fort Mill, SC, and resided in Clifton, VA for twenty-eight years. She received a BA and MA at Clemson University, and she lectured at Louisiana State University, where she was also the Assistant Editor of the prestigious Southern Review Journal. She is survived by her husband, Thomas R. Gulledge, Jr. (Clifton, VA); her daughter, Kristin Marie Gulledge (Centreville, VA); her mother, Iris Lewis (Charlotte, NC); her sister, Karen Williams (Powhatan, VA); her brother, James Charles Lewis (Mount Holly, NC); and many relatives and relatives-by-marriage. She was loved by friends, relatives, and colleagues, and even by those who barely knew her. She had many hobbies and interests; including art, music, literature, cooking and animals. She loved her family most of all, and had a special place in her heart for her "son," Charlie the cat, and her "grandson" Elvis the cat. She loved traveling, and especially the seacoast and the mountains. She organized grand vacations and was a gourmet cook. Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years at Jo's "long table" was an event to remember. In her professional life, Jo was an accomplished editor, working for Simon and Schuster and Prentice-Hall. In the years before her retirement, Jo was a Senior Acquisition Editor for Aspen Law & Business. Jo will be missed by family and friends. She orchestrated all family processes with detail and precision. We understand the important role that Jo played, because she was the glue that bonded the family together as well as many complex personal relationships. She was the gracious star of the room, but never the center of attention. She can never be replaced. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:30 pm followed by a service at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Carolinas Cornerstone in Fort Mill, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 2321, Centreville, VA 20122.