Jo Roper

Laura Josephine Roper (Jo to everyone who knew her, and Bugie to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren), of Georgetown, Texas, passed away at Park Place Care Facility on April 11, 2013 at the age of 89.

Jo was born December 20, 1923 in Morganton, North Carolina, where she married the love of her life Charles Roper, in 1941. Jo and Charles moved to Washington D.C. in 1948 where she worked many years in the Asian community. They retired to Virginia Beach, VA, where she played an integral role in her grandchildren’s lives, helping to raise them in their early years. Jo enjoyed outdoor living, spent a lot of time at the beach, and looked after her mother and several elderly friends. Jo worked as a Volunteer at the local community hospital and was recognized for her achievement of over 10,000 hours of service. As President of the hospital Auxiliary Volunteer Organization, she planned numerous fund raising events, including fashion shows, bake sales, bazaars, and anything else that could raise money, resulting in the hospital’s purchase of a new MRI machine and other needed medical equipment.

Jo moved to Georgetown, Texas in 2002 to reside with her only child Judith Haliasz and most loving son-in-law Hank, in Sun City. In 2004 Jo required brain surgery which resulted in her moving to the Park Place Care Facility, where she resided until her passing. During her stay at Park Place, she served several terms as the Resident Family Council President, was a featured writer in the Facility’s monthly newsletter (her “Dear Jo” column was a big hit), participated in the annual Senior Games for Life, and was recognized as the “organizer-in-chief” of many of the resident activities. While at Park Place, Jo found her second soul-mate, James, with whom she shared several years of happiness. She loved and was loved by everyone at Park Place. She guarded all of the secrets shared with her and was a mother-confessor to many! Her effervescent presence will be missed by all of the staff and other residents (along with the state inspectors). Park Place became the second family to Mrs. Roper, and all came to her side during her last days to pray, hug, and thank her for being a friend.

Mrs. Roper was preceded in death by her husband Charles, a Purple Heart recipient, in 1995. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Haliasz and son-in-law Hank Haliasz; grandchildren, Joseph Smith, Mark Smith, and David Smith and wife Maureen; great grandchildren, Caitlin, Erin, and Delany Smith; sister, Joyce Kirk; sisters-in-law, Inez Kirby and husband Hershel and family and June Fleming and family. Jo also enjoyed the many special remembrances from her nephew Raymond and niece Debbie.

Mrs. Roper’s ashes will be interred along with her husband’s remains at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. She’ll be in good company at Arlington as many other family members including her mother, step-father, a sister, a sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law are also interred there. A remembrance gathering will be held with Jo’s adopted family and friends at Park Place in the near future.

The family would also like to especially thank the nursing staff, the CAs, other staff members, and Lighthouse Hospice, for easing Jo’s last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Park Place Care Facility, 121 FM 971, Georgetown, Texas 78626 (for the resident snow cone machine) or the Lighthouse Hospice, 2913 Williams Drive, Suite #320, Georgetown, Texas 78628.

Arrangements by Cook-Walden/Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.