Mary Jo Keith Underwood, 96, of Black Mountain, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026. She was a native of Madison County, where she lived most of her life and the daughter of the late Harry Carl Keith and Grace Merrill Norton. She is preceded in death by her late husband, Everett Underwood, and the father of her children, Murray Yelton; a daughter Debbie Biggerstaff (Benny), son, Larry Keith Yelton; sisters, Kathy Priest and Irene Gresham, and brothers, HC and Jackie Keith.

Mary Jo excelled in gardening and had a talent for cultivating all kinds of plants, whether in raised beds or flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed preserving her harvest through canning. Mary Jo was an avid reader, also a dedicated bowler, until the age of 93. She was also a huge fan of Duke basketball.

Notably, Mary Jo was the oldest member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mars Hill.

Mary Jo is survived by her children, Judi Bates, Linda Shook (Roy), Pam Morgan (Kevin), Ryan Biggerstaff, Kyle Biggerstaff (Julie), and Leanne Morrison (Nathanael); stepson, Jerry Underwood, stepdaughters, Linda, Vicki, Dawn, and Anna; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

The family will receive friends from 11:30am-1pm Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Blue Ridge Funeral Service.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service. Reverend Glenn Graves will officiate. Burial will follow in Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Ryan & Kyle Biggerstaff, Jeremy Riddle, Charles Arrington, Matt Hope, Keith Penland, Joe Estep, and Nathanael Morrison will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org