Alma Jo Curtis Churchill, 88, of Caruthersville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026, in Kennett, Missouri.

Born on December 23, 1937, in Hayti, Missouri, Alma Jo was the beloved daughter of Thelma and Les Curtis. She attended school in Hayti and graduated in 1955. During her senior year in high school, she was chosen as Hayti High School's Football Homecoming Queen. Following high school, she graduated from Draughon's Business College in Memphis, Tennessee.

After college, Alma Jo began working for Dillman's Auto Parts in Caruthersville, Missouri, where she served as a bookkeeper. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bob Churchill. Bob often joked that he bought more auto parts than he truly needed just for another chance to see Alma Jo. The two were united in marriage on September 18, 1959, and together built a loving home and family.

Alma Jo was a devoted wife and mother to her two daughters, Kelley and Kim. Once her daughters began school, she flew to Los Angeles, California, to be trained as a Merle Norman Cosmetologist, after which she opened Merle Norman Cosmetics in part of her home before later moving the business to Ward Avenue in Caruthersville, where she also added a jewelry store. After retirement, she continued helping in the office at Bob Churchill Motors.

A faithful Christian woman, Alma Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She attended First Baptist Church in Hayti with her family and was actively involved in church life. She was a member of Jo Guise's Sunday School Class, cared for the nursery, and helped with Vacation Bible School for many years.

Alma Jo was an avid reader. She enjoyed playing hymns on the piano, singing, writing poetry, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Kelley (Rob) Burg of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Kim (Keith) Birmingham of Hayti, Missouri; her grandsons, Blake (Hollie) Burg of Finley, Tennessee, and Jake Burg of Dyersburg, Tennessee; her great-grandsons, Blayze Burg of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Jaedon Burg of Finley, Tennessee; great granddaughter, Karlie Shelton of Finley, Tennessee, one sister, Vicki Moore and the late Joe Moore of Sikeston, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Heritage Nursing Center and Legacy Hospice in Kennett, Missouri, for the exceptional care, kindness, and love shown to Alma Jo during her time there.

Alma Jo's legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion to family will be cherished always by those who knew and loved her.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Hayti, with Bro. Mark Hoover officiating.  Pallbearers were Keith Birmingham, Rob Burg, Blake Burg, Jake Burg, Blayze Burg, and Jaedon Burg. Honorary pallbearers Leslie Knott and Phil Bowen.  Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayi.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of services.