Rosa Jane Cigainero

Rosa Jane Cigainero, 65, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away at home on April 18, 2007, following a graceful and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Greensburg, Indiana on December 27, 1941 to Clarence E. and Sara Estelle Davis. She was raised in Texarkana, Texas where she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1960. She married her childhood sweetheart, Larry Joe Cigainero in 1962 and they moved to Denton where they had two children, Joey and Laura. In 1966 the family moved to Jacksonville where they have been proud residents ever since.

Rosa Jane earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from UT Tyler, and her Master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She devoted 28 years to education, working as a 5th grade teacher at East Side Elementary, then as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at Jacksonville Middle School. Rosa Jane was a devoted member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where she served as cantor for 35 years. She also served as president of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for 2 years. After retirement in 2004, she enjoyed dancing with Larry Joe, traveling in her RV, camping with their 3 grandsons, playing Mah Jongg, and entertaining friends.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, as well as her son, Joey, who died in a plane crash in 1991 while playing keyboards for Reba McEntire.

She leaves to mourn her loving husband, Larry Joe Cigainero, Jacksonville, TX., her daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Andrew Pitts, Spring, TX. and her three grandsons, Joey, Jeffrey, and Jeremy Pitt, Springs, TX. The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Alfonso Saade, the staff at M D Anderson, and the Hospice of East Texas for their tender, loving care.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007 at Thompson Funeral Home, Jacksonville, TX. with a rosary being said at 7 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007 at Thompson Funeral Home, Jacksonville, TX. A funeral mass will be conducted by Father Mark Kusmirek at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Jarratt Cemetery.

“I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith”.

II Timothy 4:7.

Pallbearers will be Randy Decker, Charlie Jones, Chuck Hopson, James Abell, Gary (Butch) Garrison, Wilbur Chancey, Walter Volz and Ron Weidenbach.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX. 75701.

April 20, 2007

Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress