Jo Tyrie Sanders

July 4, 1915 - December 6, 2009

Farewell to a Port Arthur Icon - Jo Tyrie Arthur Sanders. She was a very loving, caring, strong and brave lady. Even though she was the youngest, she was a matriarch of her brothers and sister as well as her own family. Although short in stature at only 5 feet tall, her presence was very powerful to those around her. She always surrounded herself with family and friends and always greeted them with a warm loving smile. Her keen business sense made all the business endeavors run by her and her husband Tommie and family a shining success. From the Root Beer stand, French Village, Crown Drive Inn, Dixie Diner, Sanders Sporting Goods, Home on the Range trailer park, Sanders Grocery store, Glass Company, to the well known famous seafood restaurant the Farm Royale. She lived a long, active and rewarding life. Jo Tyrie Arthur Sanders, 94, of Port Neches passed away on Sunday December 6, 2009 at Christus St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur. She was born July 4, 1915 to Annie Wells Arthur and Wilbur Arthur in Cameron, Texas. She moved with her family to Port Arthur at the age of 2. Jo and her husband Tommie owned and operated the Crown Drive-In on 9th Avenue and 15th Street, then Farm Royale Restaurant on Memorial Boulevard. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. She was prceded in death by her parents, four sisters, two brothers, her son Thomas Frank Sanders and two infant sons Baby Sanders and Timothy Pete Sanders, her granddaughter Lisa Marie Sanders. Jo is survived by her daughters Linda Jo Browne and husband Peter of Denver, North Carolina, Ellen Lou Paulino and husband James of Port Neches, her sons Terrance Arthur Sanders and partner Marcos Ribera of Houston, Tyrie Whyland Sanders and wife Sylvia of Nederland, her daughter-in-law Karen Sanders of Katy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Belinda Jo Bracey of Weatherford, Texas, Laurie Sunderman of Cy Fair, Texas, Jep Bracey of Pearland, Texas, Brian Bracey of Huntington, West Virginia, JoEllen Hall of Port Neches, Texas, Scott Arbogast of Portland, Oregon, Anne Acord of Groves, Texas, Allyson Hoag of Katy, Texas, Stephanie Sterling of Round Rock, Texas , Marnie Avila of Beaumont, Texas, Erica Sanders of Austin, Texas, Erin Broussard of Port Arthur, Texas, Lindsay Schaller of Port Arthur, Texas and William Ronald Arbogast of Tampa, Florida, great grandchildren Andrea, Adam, Jake, Devin, Alex, Darah, Caitlyn, Patrick, Dayne, Rachael, Tessa, Kara, James, Samuel, Lakyn, Kaitlyn, William Michael, Caleb, Cameron, Cane, Cody, Ty, Mallory, Sofia, Alenna, Quade, Dominic and Maddie Rose.