Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home

08/11/2026

With deep sympathy and sincere compassion, Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home announces the passing of Joseph “Joe/JoJo” Ronald Russell who departed this walk of life on July 29, 2026.

We ask that you keep the family of Russell family in your thoughts and prayers.

You can access the official obituary and leave personal memories or comments for the family by clicking the link below:

https://www.mercymcgowan.com/blog/post/joseph-joejojo-ronald-russell

Respectfully,
Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home
“Never place a question mark where God has placed a period.”🕊️

Joseph (Joe,JoJo) Ronald Russell was born on January 1, 1977 to Walter Russell Jr. and Shirley Ann Russell. He was raised on a farm just southwest of Jacksonville, Texas. Joseph’s home church was Brisby Chapel AME Church. He was an active member at a young age and sang in both the youth choir and ...

08/11/2026

Official funeral arrangements for Joseph “Joe/JoJo” Ronald Russell.

08/09/2026

Ms. Kay’s last call & final tribute!

08/08/2026

“Excellence isn’t simply what we strive for—it’s the standard we hold ourselves to. As a team, we are committed to serving every family and our community with dedication, compassion, integrity, and an unmatched level of professionalism.”
- Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home🕊️

08/05/2026

Official funeral arrangements for Yolanda “Kay”Holsome. 🕊️

08/05/2026

With deep sympathy and sincere compassion, Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home announces the passing of Yolanda “Kay” Holsome who departed this walk of life on July 30, 2026.

We ask that you keep the family of McCullough and Holsome family in your thoughts and prayers.

You can access the official obituary and leave personal memories or comments for the family by clicking the link below:

https://www.mercymcgowan.com/blog/post/yolanda-kay-holsome
Respectfully,
Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home
“Never place a question mark where God has placed a period.”🕊️

Yolanda "Kay" Holsome, 71, of Jacksonville, Texas, peacefully entered eternal rest on Thursday, July 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and the grace of God.

08/04/2026

Most people never see what happens inside a funeral home before the doors open, but some of the most meaningful work takes place long before the first family arrives.

When a visitation or service is scheduled, our team is often here before sunrise making sure every detail is just right. From preparing the facilities and adjusting the lighting, to carefully arranging flowers, steaming clothing, and making final appearance checks, every step is done with great care and purpose.

It’s during these quiet early morning hours that we focus on the little things that families may never notice—but those little things often make the biggest difference. Every detail is another way we honor your loved one and serve your family with the dignity, respect, and compassion you deserve.

There is a unique sense of peace inside a funeral home before the day begins. It’s a time of preparation, reflection, and commitment to making sure everything is ready before your family walks through our doors.

At Mercy-McGowan Funeral Home, we believe no detail is too small when it comes to honoring a life well lived. Behind every service is a team working diligently—often before the sun rises—to ensure your loved one is cared for as if they were our own.

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes before a visitation or funeral service begins? We’d love to answer your questions in the comments. 🕊️

07/27/2026

Funeral 101 for the week!

🔍 Funeral Myth vs. Fact

❌ MYTH:

“If my loved one is going to be cremated, we can’t have a traditional funeral service.”

✅ FACT:

You absolutely can.

Choosing cremation doesn’t mean you have to give up the opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate your loved one’s life.

Many families choose to have:

* A visitation or viewing
* A traditional funeral service with the casket present
* A church service
* A graveside or committal service

If purchasing a casket isn’t something your family wants to do, many funeral homes offer the option of renting a ceremonial casket for the visitation and funeral service. Following the service, your loved one can then be cremated instead of buried.

Every family is different, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to honoring a loved one. Whether you choose burial or cremation, the service can be personalized to reflect your loved one’s life, values, and legacy.

At Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home, we’re here to help you understand your options and create a meaningful service that honors your loved one while respecting your family’s wishes.

💬 Have a funeral-related question or heard a funeral myth you’ve always wondered about? Leave it in the comments or send us a private message. Your question may be featured in a future edition of our Funeral Myth vs. Fact series as we continue educating and serving our community.

07/27/2026

Our “Meet the Faces of Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home” series continues!

With everyone’s busy schedules, we missed introducing a staff member last week, but we’re excited to pick up right where we left off. It’s been our pleasure to give our community a closer look at the dedicated people who work behind the scenes to serve families with compassion, dignity, and professionalism.

This week, we’re honored to introduce the next member of our team—our Funeral Director In Charge (FDIC), Mr. Willie Turner III.

A licensed funeral director since July 24, 2014, Willie is a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and has faithfully served as the Funeral Director In Charge of Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home since the passing of our co-founder, the late Mr. Ronnie McGowan. Through his leadership, professionalism, and servant’s heart, he has helped guide our funeral home while honoring the legacy established before him.

For Willie, funeral service is far more than a career—it’s a calling.

He believes no two funerals should ever be the same because every individual lived a unique life and every family has different needs, traditions, and wishes. His goal is to ensure that every family we serve receives the compassion, professionalism, dignity, and personalized care they deserve during one of life’s most difficult moments.

Willie is also a lifelong learner who believes that training and professional development are essential to becoming the best servant possible. He often says that continuing to grow strengthens the assignment God has called him to fulfill.

Outside of the funeral home, Willie is deeply committed to his faith. His personal ministry is centered around “3D – Discover, Develop, and Deliver,” encouraging others to discover their God-given purpose, develop their gifts, and deliver them in service to others. He also has a passion for Christian Education, formerly known as Sunday School, where he has faithfully served for more than 20 years, helping others grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

His leadership, integrity, humility, and commitment to excellence continue to make a lasting impact on both our staff and the families we are privileged to serve.

We are grateful to have Mr. Willie Turner III leading our funeral staff and helping carry out the mission of Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home with compassion, professionalism, and genuine care.

“Every family is unique. Every life deserves to be honored. Every service should reflect the legacy of the one being remembered.”