Obituary for Jo Ann Davidson Lampros
LAMPROS, Jo Ann Davidson
A life filled with family, friends, laughter, and books ended unexpectedly early Saturday morning, February 20, 2021, when Jo Ann Davidson Lampros, 83, of Roanoke, passed away peacefully following a brief illness. Her graciousness, kindness, and generosity, emblematic of the lessons learned as a child on a Buckingham County, Virginia, farm a generation ago, were quietly evidenced throughout her life through the teaching of others, volunteer work, and endless book exchanges; not to mention elaborately hosted apple juice tea parties and book readings with her grandnieces and nephews. Ever curious and adventurous, she left the family farm as a young woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Emory and Henry College and then moved to Richmond to teach middle school English and history. Whilst there, she met her future husband, James (“Jim”) Nicholas Lampros, Sr., and, together, they embarked on a life which eventually brought them to Roanoke where she taught English at Roanoke College, earned several graduate degrees from Hollins College and Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, served at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and, most importantly to her, dedicated herself as life-long wife to Jim and mother and teacher to their son James. A person of faith, she quietly moved through the hardships of life with confidence and determination; her openness and ready smile never wavering. Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, as well as her parents William and Ruth Davidson, her brother Scott Davidson, and her brother-in-law Leo N. Lampros. She is survived by her loving son James Nicholas Lampros, Jr., her brother-in-law John N. Lampros; sisters-in-law Barbara G. Lampros and Joan B. Davidson; nephews Nicholas L. Lampros, Michael L. Lampros, and William T. Davidson; nieces Penny L. Lampros (Barry F. Smith) and Elisabeth D. Goodwyn; a gaggle of grand-nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, her beloved poodle Jackie and cat Mr. Kitty-Cat.
A private interment will be conducted Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Evergreen Burial Park, with the Reverend Whitney Burton-Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Saint Francis Service Dogs, P.O. Box 19538, Roanoke, Va. 24019. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel; and apologies to Jo Ann, ever the English teacher and bibliophile, for any grammar and diction errors above.
A life filled with family, friends, laughter, and books ended unexpectedly early Saturday morning, February 20, 2021, when Jo Ann Davidson Lampros, 83, of Roanoke, passed away peacefully following a brief illness. Her graciousness, kindness, and generosity, emblematic of the lessons learned as a child on a Buckingham County, Virginia, farm a generation ago, were quietly evidenced throughout her life through the teaching of others, volunteer work, and endless book exchanges; not to mention elaborately hosted apple juice tea parties and book readings with her grandnieces and nephews. Ever curious and adventurous, she left the family farm as a young woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Emory and Henry College and then moved to Richmond to teach middle school English and history. Whilst there, she met her future husband, James (“Jim”) Nicholas Lampros, Sr., and, together, they embarked on a life which eventually brought them to Roanoke where she taught English at Roanoke College, earned several graduate degrees from Hollins College and Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, served at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and, most importantly to her, dedicated herself as life-long wife to Jim and mother and teacher to their son James. A person of faith, she quietly moved through the hardships of life with confidence and determination; her openness and ready smile never wavering. Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, as well as her parents William and Ruth Davidson, her brother Scott Davidson, and her brother-in-law Leo N. Lampros. She is survived by her loving son James Nicholas Lampros, Jr., her brother-in-law John N. Lampros; sisters-in-law Barbara G. Lampros and Joan B. Davidson; nephews Nicholas L. Lampros, Michael L. Lampros, and William T. Davidson; nieces Penny L. Lampros (Barry F. Smith) and Elisabeth D. Goodwyn; a gaggle of grand-nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, her beloved poodle Jackie and cat Mr. Kitty-Cat.
A private interment will be conducted Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Evergreen Burial Park, with the Reverend Whitney Burton-Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Saint Francis Service Dogs, P.O. Box 19538, Roanoke, Va. 24019. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel; and apologies to Jo Ann, ever the English teacher and bibliophile, for any grammar and diction errors above.