Jo Ann Smith, 87, of Groves passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Bonne Vie Nursing Home in Port Arthur. Jo Ann was born April 26, 1932 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Aurellian and Anna Mae DeJean. Jo Ann attended the Church of Christ. She taught bible class to children and kept church nursery. Her passion in life was making a special home for her husband and their five children. Jo Ann loved to bake desserts, work picture puzzles and crosswords. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Roland all over the U.S. in her “home away from home” travel trailer. Jo Ann was known for her love of chocolates and desserts; her famous saying, “Eat Dessert First!”
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Aurellian Joseph DeJean, Sr. and Anna Mae Dempsey DeJean, and her loving husband of 70 years, Roland E. Smith, Sr.
Those left to cherish Ms. Jo Ann’s memory are her children, Julie Campbell and husband, Will of Beaux Bridge, LA.; Loreli Abraham and husband, Jeff of Groves, TX.; Jeanie Casanova and Carl Young of Port Arthur, TX.; Summer Jackson and husband, Harold of Baytown, TX.; and Roland “Buz” E. Smith, Jr. and wife, Jeannie Ann of Groves, TX.; grandchildren, Brandy Bryant, Autumn Doss, Bambi Campbell, Brian Abraham, Brad Abraham, Lisa Rosenthal, Leah Casanova, Amy Miller, Jodie Ducote, Haley Smith and Donnie Page; and 13 great grandchildren.
A gathering of friends and relatives will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 with a Celebration of Life Service to begin at 2:00 p.m., at Melancon’s Funeral Home.