Mrs. Betty Jo Roese

March 11, 1936 - February 18, 2016

Mrs. Betty Jo Roese, 79 of Washington, passed away Thursday, February 18th at Houston Northwest Medical Center. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, February 25th from 5:00-7:00pm at Nobles Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10:00am Friday, February 26th at the funeral home with interment to follow in Friedens Church Cemetery in Washington. Rev. Greg Felder will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel. Betty Jo was born in Old Washington on March 11, 1936 to Julius and Olga (Boenker) Roese, German immigrant workers who had settled in the Old Washington area to farm cotton. The middle child of seven raised during the depression, Betty Jo was no stranger to struggle and hard work. She attended high school in Navasota where she enjoyed participating in basketball, softball, and volleyball. As an adult, Betty Jo owned and operated a small business in Houston. She enjoyed playing bingo and traveling to Louisiana to frequent the casinos. She always made time in her life for two things, her daily soap operas and family gatherings and events. Remembered always for her quick laugh and outgoing, strong will and headstrong personality, her son has often said she was “stubborn as a mule”. If someone were looking for an honest opinion without the sugar coating, Betty Jo was always willing to give her opinion. She loved music, and enjoyed dancing to both country western and big band music. Mrs. Roese was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Glenn “Bubba” Roese, Raymond “Rusty” Roese, sisters Peggy Roese, Ollie Jean Newman and Ella Mae Trissell. She is survived by her daughter, Eva Jo Sumner of Spring; sons and daughter-in-law Lee and Christina Jordan of Danbury and Steve Jordan of Houston; brother and sister-in-law Henry and Pearl Roese of Washington; grandchildren Tammy Jo Richards and husband Jeremy of Spring, Terry Sumner and wife Amy of Willis, Peggy Simons and husband J. R. of New Waverly, Tabatha Hamilton and husband Jason of Clearlake, David, Steven, Shy-la, Kal-el and Ki-la Jordan, all of Houston and Brianna Jordan of Danbury; 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Serving as pallbearers are Terry Sumner, J. R. Simons, Jeremy Richards, Marion Busa, Robbie Roese, Aaron Grigg, Colby Grigg and David Jordan.