of Jacksonville, AR

March 14, 1936 - October 5, 2024

Jeannie Marie Roxson, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister, entered into eternal rest on October 5th, 2024.

It's fitting that someone who deeply treasured the singing of birds and the blooming of flowers was born on a spring day, on March 14, 1936 in Oakland, California, to Veronica and George Dynan. She loved recalling her fondest childhood memories, and there were many: racing downhill in makeshift carts with her younger brother George and the neighborhood kids, climbing trees and playing outdoors until dark, learning from the nuns at Merylrose Catholic Grammar school, and walking in procession with them signing, ''On This Day, O Beautiful Mother''. One of her favorite and impressionable memories that ignited a life-long passion was her weekend excursions to the movie theater with her mom. There Jeannie fell in love not only with the greats like Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Gregory Peck, but became enamored with the ''triple threat'' craft of singing, dancing and acting. In her later years of childhood she spent hours choreographing dances to her favorite songs. In her senior year of high school, she tried out for, and gained the lead role in 'Our Town' and roles in other productions, as well as acting roles at Holy Names College. Her love of film never waned; she could name just about any actor who performed from the 1920's to the 1980's and beyond. Up until her last days she adored those classic films!

At the age of 18 she received a precious gift of a new baby sister, Mary, whom she loved dearly, and whom she was able to develop a closer bond with in their adult years. They enjoyed multiple cruises and vacations together with their mom, late nights in their mom's den chatting with a dish of ice cream, and celebrated holidays and special occasions with each other and family.

In her young adult life, her two strongest ambitions were to be an Actress, or a Consecrated Religious (Nun), but instead gained work at local businesses in Oakland, including a stint as a model for the famed I Magnin department stores, and in administrative work locally, until she met and married John Sconza, and became mother to Kimberly, Kathy, Chris and Kary. She often reflected that those early years of motherhood were indeed the happiest of her life.

Mom received one of the most beautiful and surprising gifts of her life in her early 40's when she became pregnant and had her daughter Lori. This perfect little angel brought so much joy not only to Jeannie, but to Lori's older, doting siblings.

Jeannie's long work life included stints in retail and in administrative duties until she landed the job as a switchboard operator and dispatcher in Yuba City, where she remained for 25+ years. She was a loyal, capable, diligent and beloved employee, especially to those who counted on her to employ resources on time-sensitive and crisis calls. Her time with Tello Answering Service ended when the company was eventually acquired and moved out of state.

Mom's subsequent and later years were marked by a more quiet life living with her husband Fred Roxson in rural Gridley, California.

Her first and only long-time stint living in the country, Jeannie adjusted quickly. She loved the peacefulness but especially the cotton-tailed rabbits that inhabited the area, along with feral cats and their pet dogs. Mom was truly a lover of animals, especially dogs and horses. She never forgot all the pets throughout her life. Each one was dear to her.

Upon the death of Fred in 2013, the next phase of Jeannie's life was spent living with her daughter Kimberly, surrounded by extended family and five chihuahua's who captured her heart. Several years later she moved in with daughter Kathy and son-in law Kevin, where she received the gift of forming closer bonds with them and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as their beloved dogs, all of which brought her happiness and security. Both of these daughters gave a great gift to Jeannie, ensuring she was cared for and included in family life. She was extremely grateful for the love and sacrifices made in this effort.

In late winter of 2020, Jeannie moved to the south and joined daughter Kim and her husband Butch in Little Rock, Arkansas. These years were marked by the simplicity and delight of watching birds outside her windows perched on feeders, daily homemade meals from Kim, Sunday breakfast from Butch, beloved dog Bogey cuddling on the bed, and of course watching movies, movies and more movies. She was doubly happy when her son Chris moved to Little Rock and she was able to spend precious time with him.

Nothing was more instrumental and life-altering to Jeannie than her beloved Catholic faith. She was baptized as an infant and attended parochial school through 8th grade. As mentioned before, in her late teens and young adult life, she contemplated a vocation to religious life. She instilled in her children from day one a belief in God, and baptized each one in their infancy. Life, along with many sadnesses and unfortunate circumstances resulted in distance with this first love of hers, until she was happily reunited in her middle years. It can never be understated how much peace and healing was brought to Jeannie's life and soul when she once again began attending Mass and was able to receive not only the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation, but also had her marriage to Fred Roxson convalidated in Holy Matrimony. This renewed faith of hers was marked by fervent reading of scripture, building an intimate relationship with and dependency on Jesus, immersing herself in books on the faith and of course ''Lives of the Saints''. She believed in the intercession of Saints, especially St. Therese of Liseux, St. Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina and most deeply St. Joseph and the Holy Virgin Mary, ''Queen of all Saints''.

She had a quiet but fervent determination to pray for her parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, which continued to her last days. A few years into the rediscovery of her Catholic faith, she made her profession as a Third Order Francisan. She had a daily devotion to saying the Holy Rosary, which she offered for the world and her family, meditating on the 'joyful', 'sorrowful' 'luminous' and 'glorious' mysteries in the life of Jesus Christ. She made peace with God and on the last day of her life, under duress of pain and suffering, told her daughter Kim, ''God's Will be Done''.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents George and Veronica Dynan, brother George Dynan Jr, sons-in-law Benito Fiori and Kevin Lusby. She is survived by her five children: Kim, Kathy, Kary, Chris and Lori, as well as their respective spouses, twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way), her sister Mary, nephew Michael, and her beloved dog Bogey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cabot, Arkansas.
Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Oakland, California.

May Eternal rest be granted unto her, and may Perpetual Light Shine on her.

We love you Mom. Today, tomorrow and always treasured in our hearts.


Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, Sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Oh Good Jesus, hear my prayer.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Close to you, bid me.
Separated from you, let me never be.
From the evil one, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me,
That with your Saints in heaven,
I may be praising you for ever and ever.
Amen

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR  72116
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com