Jo Ann (Young) Clifton of Katy, Texas was called home by the Lord Monday, January 16, 2023 at the age of 93. She was born in Louisiana to Gladys Lucille (Arnold) Young and Harry Thomas Young on October 14, 1929.

Jo Ann was a very nurturing individual and often cared for her siblings while living in Houston. As a young woman, she was Miss Galena Park and first runner up Miss Galveston. She married the love of her life on December 25, 1948 and raised 4 sons. In addition to her role as mom, she began the Wee Me Day Care
which she managed for over 20 years. That is where she was given the name “JoJo” by all of the little ones she cared for. She had a volume of nursery rhymes that she could recite at any given time and unique sayings for every birthday. In 1979, she sold the day care and she and her late husband moved to their ranch in Waelder, Texas. Jo Ann made many friends there, including the local quilting group where she loved making quilts. She was a substitute teacher for Moulton High School for many years and hosted a foreign exchange student.

Jo Ann loved spending time with her family and had a knack for making each one feel as if they were the “favorite.” Her sons and their families would visit most weekends. Her grandchildren came to know her as Granny or Granny JoJo and her great grandchildren favored Grrrr. There was always a parade of food at all family gatherings. Her cooking skills were out of this world, particularly the yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls that melted in your mouth. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be dearly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 52 years, Thomas (Tom) Edwin Clifton, sons Thomas (Tommy) Edwin Clifton, Jr. and Terry Lee Clifton; brother: Harry Thomas Young, Jr.; sisters: Betty Jean Tinkle and Shirley Mae McHenry; step sisters: Deloris Ann Smith and Shirley June Ryan; step brother: Robert Henry “Sonny” Smith; and grandson-in-law: Joe Martinez. She is survived by half brother David Roy Smith of Houston; sons: Timothy Bryan and wife Jennifer Clifton of Splendora, Texas, Todd David and wife Gina Clifton of Katy, Texas; daughter-in-laws: Audrey Clifton of Katy, Texas and Kathryn Clifton of Allen, Texas; granddaughters: Tobie Jo Baker, Kelly Clifton- Martinez, Katy Rabbitt and husband Ronnie, Katie Curry-Clifton and Jessica Harper and husband Travis; grandsons: Jeremy Clifton and wife Kristina and Justin Ward;
great granddaughters: Tayler Clifton, Mackenzie Huff and husband Cade, Kaylee Martinez, Kylee Rabbitt, Kynlee Rabbitt and Riley Harper; great grandsons: Karsen Martinez, Braden Donjuan, Brody Dean, Myles Clifton and Banks Clifton; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to name, but not forgotten.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Rabbitt, Karsen Martinez, Justin Ward, Dayton Mejias, Braden Donjuan and Travis Kelley. Honorary pallbearers are: Jeremy Clifton, Myles Clifton, Jim Kelley, Travis Harper, Brody Dean and Barton Braeuer.

Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00pm on Thursday, January 19, 2023 with a funeral service immediately following. Both will be held at Rosewood Funeral Home, 2602 South Houston Ave, Humble, Texas 77396.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at VibraLife of Katy and Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital ICU.