Jo Ellen "Nana" (Plaia) Roy

Mrs. Jo Ellen (Plaia) Roy, 69, of Lumberton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2022, with her family by her side. Jo Ellen was born one of six children to Mr. Joseph “Joe” Tremont Plaia and Mrs. Bessie (Mazzolla) Ellis in Beaumont, Texas on Saturday, January 17, 1953. Born and raised in the Golden Triangle, Jo Ellen spent her younger years enjoying things like fishing and playing with her siblings.

As an adult, Jo Ellen was a woman of strong faith and even stronger character who loved her family more than anything else in this world. With her beloved husband, Roland Roy, for more than 42 years, together the two built a loving home and a legacy of love and family for their daughter Cristy. Jo Ellen had many careers over the course of her lifetime but none she enjoyed as much as retirement and caring for her many beloved nieces and nephews. Known to her grandbabies and almost everyone else too as “Nana”, Jo Ellen had an unending supply of love and support for those around her. Family was always a focus in Jo Ellen’s life, so it’s no surprise that family time, holidays, and any excuse to whip up a meal for folks was her favorite time. If you were really blessed, you will have gotten to try her amazing Italian Crème Cake because it is definitely one of her most famous signature dishes. Holidays in particular were special for Jo Ellen who loved to start decorating at Thanksgiving for Christmas and tried to make it just a little better each year; and Roland got to spend the next two months after Christmas trying to take it all down and put it away. Moments with family and friends were always special for Jo Ellen and she often tried to capture those memories in her beloved scrapbooks too. Devoted to her Lord and her home church of Infant Jesus Catholic Church, Jo Ellen was a faithful member and also taught CCD for many years. While her bright smile and warm hugs aren’t here anymore, Jo Ellen’s legacy of love and family will live on for years in the hearts of the loved ones she leaves behind.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Roland Joseph Roy of Lumberton; her daughter, Cristy Garrett and husband Shawn of Lumberton; her grandchildren: Miranda Jackson, and Daniel Jackson; her siblings: Margaret Martindale, Terry Plaia and wife Darlene, and Chris Plaia; as well as numerous neieces, nephews, extended family members, loved ones, church family, and friends over the years.

Jo Ellen is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings: Mary Ann Shaw, and Jerry Plaia.

To honor Jo Ellen’s life a time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM at Lumberton Family Funeral Home (766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX 77657) with a rosary service to begin at 6:45 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Infant Jesus Catholic Church of Lumberton. Jo Ellen will be laid to rest immediately following the funeral services at Old Hardin Cemetery in Kountze, Texas.

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