Josephine Danna

Josephine Danna, 100, of Lumberton, died Friday, January 12, 2018. She was born on July 27, 1917, in Greenwood, Mississippi, to Annett Brocato and Sam Tumminello, and had been a longtime resident of the area.

A message from daughter, Sammye Pinkerton:

Nothing can separate a mother and a daughter. You will forever be a part of me, the best part of me. You were my first love, my best friend. You were my go to person to share a cup of coffee. I always enjoyed our talks; good times and memories of hard times. We had so many visits, almost daily but now I wish it could have been more. You made me laugh, you embarrassed the heck out of me at times but you never made me stop loving you. You are always on my mind. Time, space not even death will separate us.

A message from daughter, Ann Smith:

Mom was a remarkable woman. She loved to work in her yard   and vegetable garden, and continued to do so until reaching her 90th birthday. I remember in the summer we always had plenty of cucutses (Italian squash) to eat. She made plenty of pear pies using the pears from her trees in the back yard. She was an excellent cook and her family loved her spaghetti and meatballs. At Christmas time, she would make dozens of homemade Italian cookies.

   Mom could do just about anything. She loved decorating her home. She did the painting, the wallpapering and once when Dad and Mom were first married, she knocked out a wall in the breakfast nook in their first home in order for her to have more space in the kitchen. Dad said he came home from work one day with kitchen wall down and exposed pipes hanging from the ceiling. She rearranged the furniture so often that Dad never knew which direction the couch or bed would be facing when he came home. She loved to sew and made all of our clothes growing up. She later taught herself to reupholster furniture which she did in her garage for many years.

   She retired from this business when her first grandchild was born. From then on she doted on her grandchildren and showered them with her love and praise. I am sure others must have grown tired of hearing about their accomplishments. She was deeply in love with her family. She remembered the birthdays of all her nieces and nephews and she would make a point to call them every year on their birthdays every year.

   Mom was a natural-born comedian. She was always the life of the party and enjoyed making everyone laugh. She had a way of making everyone feel special. She also was strong in her Catholic faith, and never missed going to Mass until her health started failing. Even then she watched the Mass on TV every week, and a wonderful Eucharistic minister would bring her communion each week so that she could receive the Body Of Christ.

   Everyone loved Mom because she was such a joy to be around. It will be hard to live without her, but she was a strong woman and would want us to also be strong.

   Mom, we love you, and we will never forget the love you gave us all.   Rest In Peace.

A message from grandson, Anthony Pinkerton:

Some of my most memorable moments with my grandmother occurred when I would take the bus home from school to Maw Maw’s house. Each day I made that trip home I knew once I got there, that afternoon would be filled with plenty of maw maw’s crazy stories, watching soaps, lots of laughs, and love. Maw Maw is and will always be such an impactful figure in my life. She was such an amazing person, always happy and willing to be the entertainer of the family. Anyone that met her, even for a brief moment, could easily see that. Always keeping everyone happy and cared for. Always with so much love for all of her family. She was the light of many of our lives, and for me, will always and forever remain in my heart with countless unforgettable memories to cherish. I guarantee she is looking down over us all with a huge smile on her face knowing how much love and happiness she has brought to all of our lives.

Josephine is survived by her daughters, Ann Smith, of Flower Mound and Sammye Pinkerton, of Lumberton; sister, Angelina Orlando, Lumberton; grandchildren, Danna Houk, Kevin Pinkerton, and Anthony Pinkerton; and great-grandchildren, Nathan Houk, Christopher Trahan, and Hailey Houk.

A gathering of Mrs. Danna’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with her Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 18, 2018, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South L.H.S. Drive, Lumberton, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to Infant Jesus Catholic Church, P.O. Box 8180, Lumberton, Texas 77657.