1929
Jean
2015
Jean Paraskevas
July 14, 1929 — October 1, 2015
Jean Paraskevas was born on July 14, 1929 on a small family farm in Woodson, Texas, the youngest of four girls born to Robert C. and Vellettia Mooneyham. As a young girl and teenager, Bobbie Jean loved reading, music, and recreation and enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for these activities at Denton First United Methodist Church. She participated in youth activities, summer mission groups, and church choir.
Jean finished first an undergraduate degree from Texas State College for Women (now known as Texas Woman’s University) in Recreation, then later obtained certification to teach elementary school, finishing her studies in 1950. She taught one year in Clovis, New Mexico, then took an elementary school teaching job in Edinburg having remembered how she fell in love with the Rio Grande Valley while on a mission trip while in high school.
Jean married Alex Paraskevas on August 6, 1956. Alex managed the Palm Cafe, 212 S. Closner, (one block south of the courthouse) and the Dairy Queen four blocks further south. Jean continued teaching at Robert E. Lee Elementary and from time to time helped Alex at the restaurant. Five children were born to the couple, each named in honor of a grandparent. Jean continued to be active in church, civic, and school activities, all the while being a Mom and continuing to teach at Robert E. Lee and Lamar Elementary Schools. Jean was one of the very first teachers to participate in the Head Start Program, which was initiated in 1965 to help low income preschool children catch up before beginning first grade. Although a lifelong Methodist, Jean accompanied Alex to services at St George Orthodox Church in Pharr when that parish was established in 1979. She continued after his passing in 1992 to support the parish with her continued gifts and her presence at parish activities.
Jean retired from teaching in 1993 after 36 years in Edinburg and 37 total. By then, all their children were adults living in the DFW area. So Jean turned her attention to visiting children and grandchildren, looking after her widowed mother-in-law, volunteering at Edinburg Regional Hospital (where for many years she edited the volunteer newsletter), playing bridge and socializing with friends, many of who were also recently retired school teachers. She also immersed herself in parish life at Edinburg First United Methodist Church, participating in the Bell Choir, serving on the Missions and Building Committees, and participating in other civic and church activities.
In 2013, Jean moved to Denton to live with Leah and Diane. She resumed an active correspondence with friends and family, visiting others with the help of Leah and Diane whenever she could. We are most grateful that God allowed her to retain strength and health up until the end. We miss her dearly but are grateful for many wonderful memories.
Those who will continue to find joy in the remembrance of her love include: Children: Nick (Lydia), Leah, Bobby (Dana), John (Ellen); Grandchildren: Shanna (Bailey), Kristin (Ben), Michael, Elisabeth, Brooke, Kyle; Great-grandchildren: Rhett, Vivienne, Tyler; Brother-in-law: George Paraskevas (Peggy) and family; Sister-in-law Nancy (Patti); Cousin: Andrew Economedes; many nephews and nieces and their families; many friends.
Jean was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Valetta, in 1964 and husband, Alex, in 1992.
A viewing will be held at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral home, 322 East Kuhn Street in Edinburg, TX on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Edinburg First United Methodist Church, 3707 W. University Drive in Edinburg, Texas on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation may direct their gift to Edinburg First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 25 Edinburg, TX 78539, or to a charity of their own choice. Funeral services have been entrusted to Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.
Jean finished first an undergraduate degree from Texas State College for Women (now known as Texas Woman’s University) in Recreation, then later obtained certification to teach elementary school, finishing her studies in 1950. She taught one year in Clovis, New Mexico, then took an elementary school teaching job in Edinburg having remembered how she fell in love with the Rio Grande Valley while on a mission trip while in high school.
Jean married Alex Paraskevas on August 6, 1956. Alex managed the Palm Cafe, 212 S. Closner, (one block south of the courthouse) and the Dairy Queen four blocks further south. Jean continued teaching at Robert E. Lee Elementary and from time to time helped Alex at the restaurant. Five children were born to the couple, each named in honor of a grandparent. Jean continued to be active in church, civic, and school activities, all the while being a Mom and continuing to teach at Robert E. Lee and Lamar Elementary Schools. Jean was one of the very first teachers to participate in the Head Start Program, which was initiated in 1965 to help low income preschool children catch up before beginning first grade. Although a lifelong Methodist, Jean accompanied Alex to services at St George Orthodox Church in Pharr when that parish was established in 1979. She continued after his passing in 1992 to support the parish with her continued gifts and her presence at parish activities.
Jean retired from teaching in 1993 after 36 years in Edinburg and 37 total. By then, all their children were adults living in the DFW area. So Jean turned her attention to visiting children and grandchildren, looking after her widowed mother-in-law, volunteering at Edinburg Regional Hospital (where for many years she edited the volunteer newsletter), playing bridge and socializing with friends, many of who were also recently retired school teachers. She also immersed herself in parish life at Edinburg First United Methodist Church, participating in the Bell Choir, serving on the Missions and Building Committees, and participating in other civic and church activities.
In 2013, Jean moved to Denton to live with Leah and Diane. She resumed an active correspondence with friends and family, visiting others with the help of Leah and Diane whenever she could. We are most grateful that God allowed her to retain strength and health up until the end. We miss her dearly but are grateful for many wonderful memories.
Those who will continue to find joy in the remembrance of her love include: Children: Nick (Lydia), Leah, Bobby (Dana), John (Ellen); Grandchildren: Shanna (Bailey), Kristin (Ben), Michael, Elisabeth, Brooke, Kyle; Great-grandchildren: Rhett, Vivienne, Tyler; Brother-in-law: George Paraskevas (Peggy) and family; Sister-in-law Nancy (Patti); Cousin: Andrew Economedes; many nephews and nieces and their families; many friends.
Jean was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Valetta, in 1964 and husband, Alex, in 1992.
A viewing will be held at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral home, 322 East Kuhn Street in Edinburg, TX on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Edinburg First United Methodist Church, 3707 W. University Drive in Edinburg, Texas on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation may direct their gift to Edinburg First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 25 Edinburg, TX 78539, or to a charity of their own choice. Funeral services have been entrusted to Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.
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