Jo Florence Landers

Jo Florence Landers went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2020, at the age of 99 1/2 years. She was blessed with a long and beautiful life! She was born on December 9, 1920, in her childhood home near downtown Houston, Texas, which is now called EADO. She was the daughter of Mary Sarao LaPerna and Salvatore (Sam) LaPerna, Sicilian Immigrants. She attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School, and Incarnate Word Academy, and was a devout Catholic. She received her Beautician’s license after high school, and won a beauty contest while in beauty school.

Jo Flo eloped with R.B. Landers at age 21, and travelled through 29 states on their honeymoon and after. She absolutely loved animals, and even had 3 pet cows which she hand-fed. She had a very green thumb, loved sunflowers, and was an avid gardener. She even won 14 ribbons at the Ft. Bend County Fair for her awesome vegetables. In her 70’s, Jo Flo maintained a 1 acre garden, working in it from sunup to sundown. At one time she planted 140 olive trees in hopes of establishing an olive grove, but her cows liked to eat them too much. Jo Flo was a staunch Democrat and very involved in politics and campaigns; she attended rallies into her late 70’s, and often worked the polls on Election Day.

Jo Flo was known for her outgoing, optimistic, loving and spirited nature. She never met a stranger, and was that little lady in the grocery store line who was always talking to everyone. She loved to dance, even well into her late 90’s, and was always ready for a party!

Jo Flo was totally ahead of her time! She was truly into health and fitness, way before it was fashionable. In the 50’s, her kids witnessed her working out to Jack LaLane in front of the black and white TV. Jo Flo was known to drag her kids around to the health food stores in southeast Houston and Pasadena. Some family members gave her the nickname, “Vitamin Jo”. People joked and made fun of her about it, but she outlived most all of them! She liked all things bling, way before it was stylish, and even glittered her eyeglasses!

Jo Flo was always ready to go, and not afraid to spend the night anywhere. She loved visiting the waterfront, and her nephew, Red’s property in East Texas. She loved to travel, and had actually visited Sicily twice by age 87, picking olives and meeting cousins, along the way.

Jo Flo was preceded in death by Ralph B. Landers, Sr., her husband of 38 years, as well as her oldest son, Ralph B. Landers, Jr.

Jo Flo was one of 6 children, and is survived by her youngest sister, Frances LaPerna Wilson. She is also survived by 3 of her 4 children: James Phillip Landers, Renée Landers, and Joan Landers; Grandchildren: Sharon, Susan, and Benny Landers, and Garrett Landers-Genzer; Great grand-children: Mackenzie Malkowski, Megan Palladino, Gary Miller, Gianna Landers-Genzer, and step-great grandson, Clayton Fullbright; there were even 2 Great-great grandsons: Kyle and Preston Miller.

Jo Florence’s family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Addington Place of Meyerland Memory Care, for all of their loving care; special thanks to Shyca Phillip and Essence Lewis; as well as Nurse Susie Nations of Bluebonnet Hospice.

Services for Jo Florence will be officiated by her cousin , Deacon John Hill. The visitation and rosary on

Wednesday evening 5:00pm to 8:00pm and funeral mass on Thursday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic

Church at 10:30am .