Jane Francis Brown Prokop passed away, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, the 24th of August 2013. She was 97. Jane was born on the 5th of April 1916, to Nina Barbisch Brown and Cleve Morin Brown.
Jane has deep roots in Houston, being a third generation Houstonian. Jane had one sister Nina and one brother Cleve. Two of her children continue to live in Houston one in Austin, and 6 generations of her lineage have made Houston their home.
Jane went to San Jacinto High School and then attended the University of Texas. Jane met Lester William Prokop in 1940, and they were married on December 23, 1940. Lester was from Hay Springs, Nebraska, and over the years they enjoyed spending time on the family farm. When they met, Lester was serving in the U.S. Army, and moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to a military base ahead of Lester’s deployment for World War II. Jane and Lester’s first daughter, Beverly Jane, was born there. After the war, Lester and Jane started their life together in Houston and bought a home on Gramercy Street. Their second and third daughters, Leslie and Julia, were born there.
Jane’s greatest love was making a home for her family, Dad always said “Mom keeps the home fires burning.” Jane was a great cook, and the family enjoyed sharing times together over meals at her home. She always had an angel food cake, berry cobbler, chocolate pie, or chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. Jane also loved to entertain and to celebrate the seasons. She would prepare the doves Lester brought home from a hunt into a wonderful meal and then top it off with her delicious cobbler or chocolate pie.
Jane loved her church. She and Lester were founding members of Westminster United Methodist Church. Jane was a member of the Lazy Daisy Garden Club and the Blue Bird Circle Shop. She looked forward to weekly bridge games with her friends. Jane and Lester enjoyed many years with family and friends at Lakeside Country Club, where they were among the first members. She also looked forward to games of Rummikub with her grandchildren at her second home in Lakeway located on Lake Travis in Austin. The family enjoyed swimming in the evenings on Lake Travis and bringing fried chicken on the boat for dinner to watch the sunset.
Jane had a very quick mind and was able to ensure that Lester’s building and development business remained strong after his death in 2004. She always encouraged and supported his business endeavors.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Beverly Jane and her husband A.W. “Don” Roark of Houston; daughter Leslie and husband Gerald Teel of Houston; and her daughter Julia Youngblood of Lakeway; nine grandchildren, who were individually endeared to her, Robin Roark Burke, Donald Prokop Roark, Jane Marie Roark Chiles, Kelli Jane Stiles Peacock, Lester Thompson Stiles, Beverly Frances Barrett, Julie Blaine Barrett Philp, Audrey Blake Barrett Bixler and Bernard “Bart” Joseph Barrett; eleven great grandchildren Harry Worthley Burke III, Whitney Frances Burke, Rylie Jane Chiles, Berkley Marie Chiles, Gate Michael Chiles, Emma Jane Peacock, Gregory West Peacock, Lester William Stiles, Ford Aubrey Stiles, Isla Mae Philp and William Shepherd Philp. She also dearly loved and cherished her many nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank all of the caretakers - especially Norma Velasquez Diaz, Adelina Ayala, Cherry Bradley, and Wanda Youngs, for their generous care in the last years of her life and the kind ladies of Berry Home Health.
Jane loved her family, and they will always love and cherish her. She will be dearly missed.
Honored to serve as casket bearers are Donald Prokop Roark, Lester Thompson Stiles, Harry Worthley Burke III, and Bart Barrett.
Later today, the family is to gather for a private interment service at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Westminster United Methodist Church, 5801 San Felipe St., Houston, TX, 77057; or the charity of one’s choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6