Jo Ethel Fowlkes age 77 died on June 12, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at the Taylor Funeral Home with words of comfort by Ministers, Norman Edwards, Gary Riley, and Randy Clark. Place of rest will be in the Petway Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service.
Ms. Jo was born at home surrounded by ten brothers and sisters on the Johnson farm located in McEwen, TN. Jo loved school and would graduate in 1967 from McEwen High School. The family enjoyed square dancing at Tennessee City on the weekends. This is where she met her future husband, William Bert Fowlkes. Ms. Jo didn’t start working until her daughter was old enough to attend school. She then worked at Henry I. Siegel (H.I.S.), the former local pants factory in Dickson. After moving to Cheatham County, she started working with her husband at State Industries, which was owned by John R. Lindahl. John R. would send the square-dancing team, The State Stove Highsteppers to entertain the company at various locations such as: Las Vegas, Florida, and Carolina’s. Her husband, Mr. Fowlkes, also had his own square dance team, Bert Fowlkes and the Tennessee Roundups. Ms. Jo would dance with her husband on the televised Carl Tipton Morning Show, The Ralph Emery Show, and at the Sylvia Music Barn. One highlight was having the opportunity to perform alongside Ralph Sloan and the Tennessee Travelers at the Kentucky Lake Music Barn. Ms. Jo was a faithful member for many years at the Fairview Baptist Church. Later in life she attended services at the First Baptist Church of Pegram, TN. Ms. Jo would visit the Crossroads Church of God with her daughter and grandchildren. She enjoyed their yearly 4th of July cookout and fireworks.
Ms. Fowlkes is preceded in death by her parents, William E. Johnson and Pearl M. Johnson; her husband, William Bert Fowlkes; brothers and sisters, Maxine Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Lorene Johnson (infant), Evonne Daniel-Wheeler, Adell Mosley, Howard Johnson, Robert Johnson, John Johnson, Mamie Wanamaker, Earlene French, Pearlene Cathey, Darlene Johnson (infant), William Johnson (infant), Brenda Johnson (infant), Clint Johnson (infant).
Ms. Fowlkes is survived by her daughter, Lecia Wallace-Dodd (Billy); grandchildren, Tisha Wallace, Amber Wallace, Sheela Dodd, Jonathan Dodd, Nicole Riggs; great grandchildren, Jocelyn Dodd, Brianna Young, Brielea Young, Braiden Young, Kian Riggs, Myha Yang, Lyra Dodd, Matthew Wallace; sister Evonne Daniel-Wheeler.