Marijo Ragan Raper, 96, of Memphis, TN Marijo, passed away in Olive Branch on October 29, 2026. Marijo was born May 5, 1930, in Walnut, Mississippi. As a child, Marijo taught herself the piano and played for Sunday morning church services at Campground Methodist Church during her youth. For her faithfulness to its music ministry, she received a college scholarship from the church. 

After attending Wood Junior College, Marijo moved to Corinth, Mississippi, where she worked for the Mississippi Highway Department; in Corinth, she also met Joe Thomas Raper, her life-long love and companion for sixty-eight years. They were married on December 17, 1949. 

Having cultivated an interest in politics as a teenager, Marijo's enthusiasm continued after marriage and in her spare time, she volunteered for various political campaigns, both locally and nationally. To her children, she emphasized the importance of voting and remained passionate about the political process. In fact, she rarely missed a day either viewing news programs or reading about current events.

 Family time was important to Marijo, so family picnics at Shelby Forest were frequent on weekends. Fishing, however, was her favorite pastime, and Lake View was a preferred place for Joe and Marijo. Unfortunately, her love of fishing was not without obstacles - it was no secret she possessed a great fear of water (she couldn't swim) and an even greater fear of snakes. Consequently, boating adventures often resulted in colorful stories about reptile encounters. Although experienced anglers, the two rarely described the size or number of fish caught; instead, the focus was more often the size and number of snakes Marijo had narrowly escaped.

 Marijo's varied interests also included putting together jigsaw puzzles, completing crossword books, reading John Grisham novels, playing Bingo (when she later moved to Silvercreek), and socializing with family and friends. An astute nonagenarian, Marijo was active on Facebook and often kept up with others through FaceTime or by text. Of all her extracurricular interests, however, Marijo's love of football was legendary. A life-long fan of the Ole Miss Rebels and the Dallas Cowboys, she not only maintained current spreadsheets of each team, but she could also deliver, without hesitation, statistics regarding almost any other team in the SEC or NFL. No doubt, the woman knew the game. 

Most of all, Marijo, aka "Mimi," loved her 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 9 great- grandchildren. All were sources of encouragement, hope, and constant entertainment. In Mimi's later years, she expressed gratitude for FaceTime because she could continue to watch her babies grow.

 Marijo Ragan Raper, who now joins her husband Joe Thomas Raper, is survived by daughter Linda (Rob) Rockhold, daughter Tommie Holbrook; grandchildren Shannon (Ryan) Becher, Neal Rockhold, and Leah (Ash) Mooney; great-grands Ava, Callie, Spencer, Nolan, Connor, Oliver, Presley, Leland, and Joe; nieces Debra (Tommy) Reimcutlip, Cindy (John Reid) Roberts, Mitzi (Bill) Edwards, and Kim Turner; and nephew Tim Raper. Marijo was preceded in death by the couple's son Kenny. 

Graveside service will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM in Glenfield Memorial Park in New Albany, MS. 

Marijo's family appreciates Enhabit Hospice for partnering in the loving care of their mother. 

Glenfield Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements of Mrs. Marijo.