Bobbye Jo Trabanino

Bobbye Jo Trabanino, 92, of Houston, Texas, passed away on October 21, 2023 surrounded by her family. Jo was born December 3, 1930 in Houston to Frank and Grace Wadley. Jo grew up in the Heights with her mother and graduated from Reagan High School. She was a 1953 graduate of the University of Houston where she studied education and received her Masters in Guidance and Counseling at Sam Houston State University. She was an accomplished dancer and dance teacher, and remained an active member of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, well into her seventies.

After leaving University of Houston, Jo married Rudolph “Rudy” Trabanino and had two children, Robert and Blair. After travelling for Rudy’s work with NASA, they eventually settled in Clear Lake City, where Jo held board positions in her community, allowing her to exercise her passion for various causes. Besides being a devoted mother, Jo was a math teacher, a counselor, and the small business owner of Bay Area Trophies. She was a founding member of First United Methodist Church in Clear Lake City, where she was active in many ministries, including travelling to Ecuador for a mission trip in her early eighties.

Jo enjoyed weekly games with her bridge community and travelling around the world, both independently and with family, throughout most of her life. She was known best for her gratitude, her witty humor, and her love of learning and books. Besides her family, what Jo loved more than anything was the Houston Astros, so much so that at 86 years of age, she attended Game 5 of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park, fulfilling a life-long dream.

Jo, affectionately called “Mamaw” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a loving and dedicated grandmother. She attended every performance, sporting event, birthday party, and Sacramental celebration, even when it meant travelling long distances or staying overnight. She was always available to her family, both in big ways and in the small, simple moments, and she was quoted, until the end, saying, “My family is my life.”

Jo is survived by her loving family: son, Robert Trabanino, and wife, Debra; daughter, Blair Adams, and husband, David; 7 grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. She will be missed dearly.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, October 27th, at 10 o’clock in the morning at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, beginning with a family visitation, followed by the funeral service at 11 o’clock. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

5 comments

  1. I worked for her for a long time about 10/12 years. I cleaned her house I have beautiful memories of her. I know that god wanted to have her in heaven to finally rest. I know that she will be better and she will always be looking up at us making sure we are okay. We will all miss her very much. Rest in peace Mrs. Joe we love you very much.

    Maria Zepeda
  2. She was very special friend that shared Junior High and many fun cheer leading years at Reagan High School with. I will always cherish the friendship that we continued through life, as well as our many hours of planning with our “Reunion Committee ” all the way through our 75th Class Reunion. Dear friend you are loved and will be dearly missed.
    Much love till we meet again,
    Virginia Pardue Hodges

    Virginia Pardue Hodges
  3. Blair and Family. I’m so sorry for the loss you are feeling right now. She was a very special lady. I enjoyed meeting her so much in Malaysia so many years ago. It’s awesome she had such a long and productive life. I know how very close you were. I still miss my mom every day. Give my love to Dave and the girls. ❤️

    Janna
  4. I’m very sorry to hear of Jo’s passing and my condolences go out to her family. I worked for her for a couple of years when I first moved to the area some 18 years ago. She was a very special lady who touched many lives. I still enjoy sharing some of her stories (anonymously) about her family growing up over the years. They were just that sweet! She did live for her family and will certainly be missed.

    Michelle Barclay
  5. My condolences to Bobbye Jo’s family. I bought a lot of Trophies from her over the years when I worked at UHCL. She was always so much fun. We spent hours looking for just the right awards for individuals. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    Karen Gross

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