Jo A. Roper

Jo Annette Tibbles was born November 5th, 1934 to Edith and Keith Tibbles on their farm near Hammon, Oklahoma. She was the 4th of 5 children. The Tibbles were dairy farmers, owning Holstein cows. Because of this, Jo did not appreciate the smell and taste of plain milk, which made it mandatory to keep Nesquik on hand at all times, for her health. Purely by coincidence, she enjoyed other forms of chocolate, including chocolate-covered cherries. (And, if only to preserve your feelings, Jo would not turn down your offer of a Wendy’s Frosty.) Jo met David Roper in the summer of 1951 at the church of Christ in Moore, Oklahoma. David describes their first encounter: “I was at the back of the classroom and made some ‘smart’ remark (surprise) and a girl at the front of the classroom turned around and smiled. I’ve always been a sucker for beautiful smiles.” Jo and David were married June 11, 1954, in Moore. (They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary next month). Included in the ceremony was the vow, “whither thou goest I will go.” Later Jo stated that she didn’t know exactly what she was getting herself into with this promise. As their family was growing, Jo took on the role of preacher’s wife, while David worked with churches in Oklahoma City, Moore, and Muskogee. Then, in 1968, now a family of five, the Ropers began mission work in Sydney Australia. They returned to the U.S. in 1977, after working with the Macquarie church of Christ. When the family returned to the states, Jo settled in as preacher’s wife at Eastside church of Christ in Midwest City, Oklahoma, then at churches in Fort Worth and Cleburne, Texas. She was a sweet nurturer of little ones, teaching toddler Bible Classes in each congregation where David worked. In 1993, Jo made a comfortable home in Judsonia Arkansas when David began writing full time for Truth for Today. In 2003, the Ropers moved back to Midwest City where Jo enjoyed spending more time with her sister Margaret, being closer to daughters Debbie and Angi, and getting the senior citizen discount at KFC. Jo was beloved mom to Cindy, Debbie, and Angi, who would get a call or message when they returned from travels, or were in the path of severe weather. She said she was making sure all her ‘chicks were in the henhouse.’ She was a hands-on mom, sewing beautiful dresses for her girls and their dolls, traveling across country to help Cindy after a house fire, doting on grandchildren, and maintaining a complicated relationship with her grand-dogs. When she was able, Jo enjoyed tending her garden. However, in recent years, you could find her in her chair, knitting cotton dishcloths, working Sudoku puzzles, and watching “Wheel.” Jo had mourned the loss of her father, Keith Tibbles, sister Eunice Tidwell, mother, Edith “Granny” Tibbles, and brother W. Keith Tibbles. She was also predeceased by parents-in-law, Lillian and Dave H. Roper. She is survived by sister Margaret Simpson, brother Thomas “Bud” Tibbles, and his wife Darlene; as well as brother-in-law Coy, and his wife Sharlotte. She will be sorely missed by her daughters and their families: Cindy and Richard Honaker, Debbie Roper and Steve Shepherd, and Dan and Angi Lovejoy. Jo was adored and appreciated by her daughter’s partners, one of whom commented “the worst thing I can say about my in-laws is that they serve terrible coffee.” She was known as precious “Nana” to grandchildren Seth David, Olivia, Rachel, Elijah, Kloe, Leo. and great-granddaughter Freya, all of whom, when little, sat on her knee to ‘ride a little horsey up to town.’ Jo is remembered as a loving aunt by her nieces, nephews and their families. She loved keeping up with her girls and extended family - most evenings Jo would give David updates by reading Facebook posts to him. Many have commented that they will miss her phone calls, which made her the glue that kept the extended family together. Our precious Jo left us too soon, on May 7th, 2019. Her family appreciates your prayers as they learn how to do life without her. We will honor Jo in services at 2pm on Saturday, May 11th at the Eastside church of Christ, 916 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City, Oklahoma. Thank you for your support and love. Those wanting to make a memorial contribution in Jo’s name can do so at SearchTV.org.