Jo Roper

EASLEY — It is with profound sadness and loss, our family announces the passing on September 2, 2025, of our beloved Jo Sitton Marshall Roper, wife, mother, and grandmother, better known by her four grandchildren as "JoJo the Great."

Born on March 21, 1950, in Lancaster, South Carolina, Jo was the second daughter to Margaret Ann Sitton Marshall of Easley and Harold Hatton Marshall of Rock Hill. She was named for her maternal grandfather, Joe Sitton, and her sister Clara, for their paternal grandmother.

The sisters experienced wholesome childhoods in Lancaster, and although they were two and one-half years apart in age, they remained "roomies" until Clara left home for college. Following Clara's departure and Jo's high school graduation, Jo and Clara reunited at Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina. The bond that developed as children had never weakened and never would for the entirety of Jo's life.

Jo completed her undergraduate degree in three years (1971) following which she and John Roper of Easley married on July 17, 1971. Jo then entered the workforce as a schoolteacher, a teaching career which spanned more than four decades. Following his graduation, John experienced several progressive work opportunities, which led to physical household moves to several new geographic locations.

In 1974, Jo and John became parents to their first child, John Tyler Roper, and 1977 their second child, Kelley Jo Roper, who are now themselves parents to two children each.

"JoJo the Great" as she was known by her grandchildren, loved God and glorified Him and his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, as her Lord and Savior. Jo loved life, which was filled with many adventures, close friends, her many students and their families. Jo loved John's family, especially John's siblings, Jim, Charles and Sarah Jane, and Sarah Jane's husband Benny and their wonderful children and their families.

Jo revered the deep and abiding love she shared with her very best friend and guardian sister Clara Rogers, Clara's husband Wayne, and their family of Jo's cherished nieces and nephews and their respective children. Most importantly, there were no boundaries nor limits to the love she and John shared with their children and grandchildren, and to one another during their 54 years of marriage.

The family is most grateful for the outpouring of love from far and near. Likewise, these past days would have been unbearable without this support and the strength provided by our Lord and Savior and the prayers and support of family, our friends, and each other. THANK YOU!

There will be an inurnment of ashes at West View Cemetery N. Main Street (205 N. 2nd Street @ 100 Wilbur Street) Easley, S. C. 29640 on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Please note: parking is available in front of nearby Law Enforcement Center and City Hall. ***PLEASE, no parking inside the Cemetery (Wilbur Street).

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations be made to Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, SC and St. John's Episcopal Cathedral. Condolences can be left for the family at www.mynattfh.com