Jo Vanrompaey

Jo Combest Van Rompaey, aged 77, of Freeport, Angleton, and West Columbia Texas went home to Glory with the Lord on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 6:18 pm, surrounded by loved ones at Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Born on May 21, 1941 as Willie Jo Viola Faye Combest, she was known to most as "Jo" and to her loved ones as "Mammy." She was raised in Rising Star/Aransas Pass, Texas and was the youngest of seven children. Early in life, Jo developed a love of learning which was accompanied by a thirst for knowledge and voracious reading habit, especially westerns and romance novels, and was loved by all who knew her. As a Junior in High School, she met Jerry "Jack" Van Rompaey and the two had a whirlwind romance followed by 34 years of marital bliss. The two especially loved to go out dancing and on bike rides. During their marriage, they moved back and forth between Freeport, TX and Key West, FL, but no matter where they were, their home was one of love and welcoming to all who came by - there was always room to squeeze in at the table, plenty of food, even if it was only rice and beans, and a place to sleep. Jack and Jo were a shrimping family, carried on today by their eldest son, Jerry Travis Van Rompaey; Jack worked as a boat captain and spent much of his time out fishing while Jo kept the house and would work as a bookkeeper, but there was always fresh shrimp in the house. She never knew a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anyone about anything, due in large part to her love of reading, which she inherited from her daddy. In fact, she very well may have known the entire population of Brazoria County at one point. To her grandchildren, she was "Mammy." She loved all her grandbabies dearly and they loved her; Mammy was always ready to tell them stories, even as they grew into adulthood, whether she read to them, recounted family history and stories of her own childhood, or even made up stories, especially those starring the "Three J's." Jo loved her family, regardless how distant, and family gatherings were when she was happiest. In addition to reading, she loved history, particularly genealogy, which became a passion for her; singing, especially country songs and hymns from her youth; nature, especially bird watching and flowers; the Game Show Network, particularly trivia-based shows (you did not want to play her in trivial pursuit!); and her lotto. She is dearly missed by all who knew her. Jo is preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd Francis Combest Sr. and Lula Lindsey Combest; her brothers and sisters, Lloyd "Junior," Thomas, Irene, Travis, Opal, and Pat; and the love of her life, Jerry "Jack" Van Rompaey. She is survived by: her two sons and daughter, Jerry "Track," John "Scott," and Anna "Missy;" three grandsons, Jerry Lee, Joey, and Jonathan (her "Three J's"), and their wives, Lara, Brandy, and Bridgette; five great-grandchildren, Ray, Kailey, Jake, Karson, and Kyler; special nieces and nephews, Robby, Brenda and Richard, Cindy, Jim and Debbie, Brenton, Brady, Brett, Will, Blake, and Lyndsay; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, all whom she loved dearly. Visitation is held at Palm's Funeral Home in Angleton, TX on Tuesday, March 5, from 6-8 pm. Funeral Service/Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church in Angleton on Wednesday, March 6, at 10 am. Service Details. Visitation When Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location Palms Funeral Home Address 2300 E. Mulberry ANGLETON, TX 77515 Service When Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 10:00am Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email