Josie Lee Maples Notman, 91, passed peacefully in her sleep overnight on August 25, 2024 in the home of her oldest son Douglas Notman of Davie, FL. She was immediately received up into glory by the Lord and Savior she had served faithfully all her adult life who had gone before to prepare a place for her (John 14: 2-3.) She was joyously welcomed to her new home in heaven by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1-2) that included all of her believing family and friends who preceded her; a baby sister and brother who died in early childhood; and a great company of angels (Heb 12:22-24).

Jo Lee, as she was known all her life, was one of ten children born to the late Florian S. Maples, Sr. and Mackie Vee (Mixon) Maples in Tiger Branch, George County, MS. She was born on Dec 21, 1932, the only girl born in a span of six brothers. (The first born was also a daughter, Mary Virginia). Jo Lee attended Broome School, graduating with a class of 12 students in 1950. Her senior year she was crowned "Miss Broome." She matriculated to University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1954. Shortly after graduating, she met Robert G. Notman of Streator, IL, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, on a blind date and they were married in Meridian, MS in May 1955. Together, they had three children, son Douglas, daughter Lori, and son Ronald. After 17 years of marriage, they divorced in 1973.

Jo Lee came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ in the wake of her divorce. She soon began holding family devotions and hosting church meetings and prayer groups in her home.  Her entire family (including her ex-husband) all eventually followed her in the faith. She soon joined in the budding charismatic movement in the church and served as the President of the Dade County chapter of Women's Aglow. She went on to serve faithfully at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables for over 30 years.

Jo Lee was well known for her kind, gentle nature, her bold witness for Christ, and her unwavering faith that God hears and answers prayer. Her prayers were solicited by family and friends everywhere in times of difficulty because they trusted that God would hear and answer her entreaties. The defining goal of her life was to see every family member and friend come to a saving faith in Christ.

She is survived by three children: Son Douglas Brian Notman (Linda) of Davie, FL; daughter Lori Lee White (John) of Montclair, Virginia; and son Ronald Craig Notman of Chicago, IL. She is survived by one brother, Florian Maples, Jr, of Mobile, AL. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: John Robert White (Denise), Chase White (Deidre), and Kent White (Ayesha); Daniel (Kellie) Notman, David Notman, and Michael (Caitlin) Notman; Melissa Kazarov (Robert); and Westley Notman. She also leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Hailee, Logan, and Holly White; Olivia and Sophia White, and Percy Notman.

She is preceded in death by brothers Dudley Moss Maples; Darwin McCrae Maples; Virginia Mary Maples; Percy Lavallet Maples; Winston S. Maples; Francis Gerald Maples; Guy Talmidge Maples, and Nona Vee Maples.

A celebration of life was held at the Church of God in Cooper City, FL on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Calling hours will be from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at Sigler Funeral Home, 4248 Main St., Lucedale, MS.

There will be no funeral service at this time.

Sigler Funeral Home, 601-947-3112, www.siglerfuneral.com, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS, is in charge of arrangements.