Joanne Roper

Joanne Roper, 84, passed away on February 19, 2025. She was born April 29, 1940, in Beaumont, Texas, to Sam and Rosemary Malley. A proud Sicilian-American, Joanne went to French High School where she was a cheerleader and once crowned for the Sweetheart Ball.  She graduated from Lamar University with a degree in education and went on to teach English and French and spent many years at Port-Neches Groves High School. Students gravitated to her after school with their problems and her willingness to listen. She found she truly loved this unexpected part of teaching, and it inspired her to get a Masters Degree in counseling. This led to a second career as a licensed professional counselor at what was then Beaumont MHMR.

Joanne loved to read, collect art, and collect Lalique crystal. She also loved to travel and took several trips to Europe with her high school students. On her last trip abroad, she visited her grandparents’ hometown of Cefalu, Sicily.

Her grandchildren called her Mommy Jo, and she treated them to an annual trip to Galveston without parents. These trips included temporary tattoos and hair dyes and ordering poolside food. Anything a parent might say no to, and the kids loved it.

She is survived by her sister, Judy Benda and husband, Tom, of Chardon, Ohio; children from her first marriage to Johnny Conn of Kirbyville, Becky Viator and husband, Derik, of Port Arthur, Johnny Conn and wife, Kristi, of Jasper, and Debra Borchardt and husband, Chris, of Cortlandt Manor, New York; grandchildren, Leslie Ruiz and her husband, Daniel, Derik Viator Jr., Shelly Magoulas and husband, Michael, and Max Borchardt; and blessed with three great-grandchildren, Avery Ruiz, Lena Magoulas and Theron Magoulas.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Dr. John W. Roper; and brother, Sam Malley, Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or an organization of one’s choice.

A gathering of Mrs. Roper’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow and be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.