Betty "Jo" Roper's Obituary
Betty Jo Miller Roper (8/23/1931-11/14/2018) 87 years old at the time she received her home in Glory. She was born to R.A. (Tam) Miller and Mamie Maybelle Brand Miller in Clanton, Alabama and loved her Alabama roots. Anyone that knew her very well, had no doubt as they often heard her say “I’m southern born and southern bred. Roll Tide!” Even though “Mama Jo”, as so many knew her, was so proud of her southern heritage, it was more important for her to know Christ as her Savior and was blessed to be called a child of the King. Jo was not shy about sharing her love for Jesus who had died on the Cross for her, preparing for her an eternal home with Him.
In April, 1947, Jo married Jack Shelby Roper in Clanton, Alabama. From that union came four children that survive her today: Roy (Linda) Roper, Chanute, KS, Mike (Wilma) Roper, Moore, Oklahoma, Jackie Roper Kinzer of Chanute, and Donna Jo (Terry) Brinker of Coffeyville, KS. Jo had a total of 9 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews in Alabama, all who truly adore their “Aunt Jo.”
Jo and Jack moved to Kansas in 1974 and lived in the Kansas towns of Coffeyville, Leona, Highland, and Osage City. After her husband’s death in 1992, Jo made her home in Chanute. Due to health issues, Jo would make Coffeyville her residence once again, living there until her death.
With her son, Roy, and daughter-in-law, Linda, Jo co-founded Bass’n Badges Tournament of Pros, where “Mama Jo” became affectionately known to everyone she came in contact. She had been treasurer of her Sunday School class prior to returning to Coffeyville, was a very active part of the SHARE Program, and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Chanute. Out of love for the youth ministry and its leadership, Jo began a program called “Cans for Kevin”, where her devoted efforts provided funding for local youth. She loved to maintain her flower gardens, and invest in the lives of her children, grand-children and great-grand-children. Her unselfish attitude, unprecedented love for Jesus Christ, and willing desire to see others Saved, will cause Jo to be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Jeff Miller, Mavis Parker, Myrel Popwell, all of Clanton, Alabama.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on November 27 at 10:30AM at the First Baptist Church in Chanute, KS. Jo requested cremation and that burial be in Clanton, Alabama. On-line condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. The family wishes to thank her entire church family of Chanute, as well as, the staff and residents of Assisted Living at Windsor Place and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, both of Coffeyville, KS for their love, friendship, support, and care of their mom. Memorials have been suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countyside, 101 N Highland Ave., Chanute, KS 66720.
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