Jo Ann Bryan Tarver

Funeral services for Jo Ann Bryan ""Granny"" Tarver, 84, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Minister John Charles Tarver and Brother Jackson Colwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Jo Ann Bryan Tarver, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend to so many, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Stoneleigh Estates in Lufkin. She was born February 9, 1927 in Houston, Texas to Lucy Mae (West) and Joel Runnels Bryan.

""Granny,"" as she was known to everyone, was a most generous and caring person, treating everyone who came in contact with her as one of her own. Jo Ann loved music. While attending Jeff Davis High School in Houston, she was a member of the marching drum and bugle corps, managing the base drum. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lufkin Chapter #382, and the Texas Pest Control Association. She was also a life member of the Pineywoods Apartment Association, where she was presented with the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jo Ann married the love of her life, Charles Tarver, in December of 1950. Together, they raised two sons and three daughters. While raising their children, Jo Ann worked as a telex operator for Western Union Telegraph in Houston and was co-owner of the family business, Bonafied Pest Control Company. After 25 years of service with Western Union, Jo Ann retired, and the family moved to Spring Branch, Texas, where they opened Metropolitan Exterminating Company. In 1979, Jo Ann and Charles sold Metropolitan Exterminating Company and moved to Zavalla, Texas. After a short retirement, they opened A.R.A. Exterminating Company in Lufkin. After the death of her husband in 1999, Jo Ann continued to manage the company and was instrumental in its day-to-day operation until the time of her death.

She is survived by her beloved children and their spouses, George Tarver of Lufkin, Carolyn and Steve Chalender of Tyler, Jeanne and Jimmy Fullerton of Lufkin, and Charlene (Dee Dee) Warren of Lufkin; sister, Lula Mae Hargroue of Houston; brother, Col. (ret) Austin R. Bryan of San Antonio; brother-in-law, Erwin Engel of Katy; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Andreas of Livingston; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sue and John Reeves of Livingston; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles Tarver; sister, Beatrice Engel; son, Jerry Lynn Tarver; granddaughter, Carrie Anne Hobson; and grandson, Delbert Ulyses Warren.

Jo Ann will be missed by all who loved her and whose lives she touched and helped shape.

Pallbearers will be Chuck Osborn, Richard Taylor, Steven Henderson, Traciel Parker, Harvey Grove and Mitchell Benge.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lufkin Chapter #382.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.