Jo Evelyn (Goins) Stephens

Jo Evelyn Goins-Stephens, born October 4, 1939 in Silsbee, TX, passed away September 2, 2021 in Beaumont, TX. Jo was born and raised in Silsbee.  She had 5 brothers and 1 sister.

When she was 17 she had to quit school and go to work full time due to a family health problem.  She opened J.J. Newberry's at Gateway Shopping Center in Beaumont.  There she was a sign maker, window dresser and modeled for the store on "Jive at Five", a channel 4 show.  At Newberry's she met her husband George.  He was from Missouri, so imagine how all the brothers took to her marrying a "Yankee"!  Jo and George were married 60 years.

After 5 years of living around the U.S., they came back to live in Lumberton because Jo wanted to live by her mother.  Soon after moving back she began working for Morgan & Lindsey Department Store.  She worked there 18 years; the last 8 years as manager of the downtown store next to the Pines Theater.

Jo and George traveled to Europe several times and made trips around the U.S. but they always ended up in the Ozarks every fall.

Jo's passion was her Savior Jesus Christ, her kids, grandkids and especially her great grandkids!  Her favorite place to be was her yard which was filled with plants and beautiful flowers.  She was blessed to work in her garden until her last 3 weeks.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Edgar and Sophine Coudrain Goins, 5 brothers and 1 sister.  She is survived by her daughter Debbie Dunham and husband Mike; grandchildren Angie Humble and husband Sean, Ben Dunham and wife Chasity; great grandchildren Addison and Libby Humble, Sidney and Scout Evelyn Dunham and by numerous nieces nephews and a host of friends.

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