Funeral services for Mr. Joe Biggs Roe, age 88 of Carthage, Texas will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Paul Thomasson, Reverend Jim Rhodes, and Dr. Allen Tilley officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery near Carthage. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Joe Biggs Roe, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, August 16, 2007.

Joe was born on November 16, 1918 to Mattie Jewel Whitaker and David Vawter Roe in Panola County, Texas. Joe attended Mitchell School in Panola County and graduated from Carthage High School in 1936. He attended Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin University lacking just nine hours from graduating from S.F.A. Joe volunteered to join the United States Army Air Corps on January 22, 1942 where he reached the rank of Tech. Sergeant. After he was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in September of 1945, he taught for two years at the Mitchell School in Panola County. During his younger years, baseball was a great love of Joe's life. He played for CHS as a pitcher, at S.F.A., and on Army Air Corps Teams wherever he was stationed. After his time in the service, he was well known in East Texas as a softball pitcher and was nicknamed "Schoolboy" Roe. Joe had a long history in the oil and gas industry working for United Gas Pipeline, Chicago Corporation, and Champlain Petroleum Company. Mr. Roe retired from Champlain after 36 years of employment. In his later years, Joe enjoyed working on his farm, tending his cows and gardening. Joe married Elizabeth Ann Wall on May 2, 1946 and had two daughters: Sandra Ann and Jo Nell. Elizabeth passed away on February 19, 1950. He married Barbara Ann Cook on June 30, 1951 in Marshall, Texas. They shared a life together for over 56 years. Joe grew up in the Rehobeth United Methodist Church. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage where he served on the Board. He was a 60 year member of the Odd Fellows Lodge # 84 and the American Legion.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, David V. & Jewel Roe, and two brothers, Frank and Jewel Ray Roe, and one niece Billie Joe Hawkins. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Roe: two daughters; Sandra Roe Payne and husband, Jim Payne and Jo Nell Roe Phillips, and husband Bobby J. Phillips all of Carthage, Texas: three grandchildren; Betsy Payne of Austin, Texas Julie Payne Turner and husband, John Turner of Longview, Texas and Cameron James Phillips of Carthage, Texas; two step-grandchildren: Christy Phillips and husband, Terry Phillips of Edgewood, Texas and Cammy Phillips Skalla, and husband, Rick Skalla of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and four step-great-grandchildren: Ryan and Rachel Phillips of Edgewood, Texas and Jeremy and Matthew Skalla of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Vera Roe of Needville, Texas and two great-nephews: David Hawkins and wife Dana of Needville, Texas and Frank and Cindy Hawkins, of Bayfield, Colorado.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Joe's physicians, Dr. Keith Keeling, and Dr. Lewis Duncan and his special caregivers: Ollie Mae Johnson, Elizabeth Waters, Mercy Odom, and Monica Reeves.

Pallbearers for the funeral will be Kaine Anderson, David Hawkins, Frank Hawkins, Glen Allums, Terry Phillips, and John Turner.

Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633 or Hearts Way Hospice of Northeast Texas, 1306 Pine Tree Road, Longview, Texas 75604.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.