Jo Yvonne Champion Ullrich

In Loving Memory of Jo Yvonne Champion Ullrich A Life Well-Lived Jo was born on September 5, 1940, to Raymond William Champion, Sr and Rosa Raygosa Champion in Beeville, Tx. Soon after her family moved to Lyford, Texas where she attended public school until graduation in 1958 from Lyford High School. Go Bulldogs! She always told us how much she enjoyed playing baseball with her friends at lunchtime and she played clarinet in the band starting in 4th grade. She had a lifelong love of reading which sparked her interest in teaching. After high school graduation, she attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas for four years and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She was certified to teach from first grade to eighth grade, but sixth grade was her sweet spot. After college, she got her first teaching job in Sebastian, Texas. She also taught in Harlingen, at Lamar Elementary, Raymondville’s Myra Green Junior High, Los Fresnos Elementary, and Castro Elementary in Mission Texas. She loved interacting with her students. She had a fondness for teaching kids to read and helping them see that their futures could be bigger than their present circumstances. One of her favorite teaching positions was teaching migrant students in Harlingen back in the 70s. I don’t think she loved the hours, but the work was very satisfying. She retired after 34 years of teaching. During Jo’s senior year at SWTSU, she met her sweetheart on a blind date. She and Ralph were set up by a friend and they hit it off. After about 10 months, 10 dates, many letters and phone calls, they married June 2, 1962, just a few days after college graduation. They settled in Raymondville to begin their lives. They welcomed three girls. Mother was very devoted to the Catholic Church. She never missed mass. She taught CCD for many years. She made sure her daughters had all their sacraments, attended mass and said grace every day. She insisted that we have dinner as a family every day. She took us to the library often. She made us do chores even on a day off from school. She made dresses for us; she went to all our concerts and performances at school. She supported our endeavors and made sure we felt her love. She helped to care for her own mother when she was ill and visited her regularly. She was friendly, talkative and funny. She taught us to sew and crochet and knit. She really loved cats. Jo is survived by her loving husband, Ralph, her three daughters, Robin (Brian), Barker, Jerri (Gil) Gomez and Rosie (Jeff) Underwood. She was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her life was filled with many loving family members and friends. A rosary and mass will be held at the Chapel at Our Lady of Sorrows in McAllen, Texas at 10 am on Saturday, March 1st. Burial will follow the mass at Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Star of Hope organization at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas. Donations can also be made to the Glaucoma Research Foundation at glaucoma.org. Rest in peace, Jo. Your legacy lives on in the hearts of all who know and love you.

Tributes

Jo Yvonne Champion Ullrich

February 24, 2025