Martha Joyce “Jo” Eckert, has found peace, quietly passing after a years-long battle with cancer in her home surrounded by her loved ones on August 19, 2026.

Jo was born on January 9, 1968 in Hannibal, Missouri to Cecil and Betty Hurt. She was a lively and extroverted girl who grew into a spirited woman. Growing up alongside sister, Dianna Carlisle, and brother, Brad Hurt, she was a part of a close-knit family who valued togetherness and love. She carried those qualities with her through her life.

As a pastor’s daughter, Jo lived in many places in Missouri, eventually finding herself in Hatton, Missouri at North Callaway High School. There she met her soulmate, Chuck. Jo and Chuck graduated from North Callaway High School in 1986, and married shortly after on May 30. Together, they lovingly raised their son, William, and they passed their own family values of kindness and integrity on to him. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

After high school, Jo attended cosmetology school in Mexico, Missouri, and worked as a hairdresser until 2022 when her health made it difficult to continue. Her loving spirit spread to each of the people who had the pleasure of working with her. She left a legacy of hard work and professionalism.

Jo’s greatest joy came from being a grandmother to Jim, Lena, and Henry Eckert. She cherished her time with them, and they were the lights of her life. She delighted in their accomplishments, showered them with unconditional love, and her spirit lives on in them. Though predeceased by her parents, Cecil and Betty Hurt, and her beloved nephew, David "Scotty" Carlisle, Jo's spirit remains vibrant through her surviving family. Her husband Chuck, son William and his wife Jackie, her grandchildren Jim, Lena, and Henry, as well as her sister Dianna Carlisle and brother Brad Hurt, all carry the memories of her vibrancy, determination, and unwavering support.

Jo's life was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and community. Her memory will be cherished by those who had the privilege to know her, and her legacy will endure in the lives she touched. Jo's story is one of love and dedication, one made richer by her relationships with family and friends which she cherished. She leaves behind a legacy that will forever be remembered and celebrated by all who had the pleasure of sharing in her remarkable journey.

Jo lived her life vibrantly, smiling through hardships. Services will be held at Nine-Mile Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Missouri on Saturday, August 22 at 10:00. A celebration of life will take place shortly thereafter at Crane’s Museum from 11:00 to 3:00. The family asks that guests who delighted in Jo’s magnetic personality please wear purple to celebrate her.