October 10, 1938 -
January 29, 2022
RALEIGH - Judith Ann Gamble Britt, 83, passed away on January 29, 2022. The family appreciates all of the care, condolences and the outpouring of love during this time. All services are being held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Transitions LIfeCare Hospice, 250 Hospice Cir. Raleigh, NC 250 Hospice Cir. Raleigh, NC 27607.01-29-2022
1938? – March 2012
Dianne David is dead. Those of us who were lucky enough to
have known her will remember her intelligence, her rapier wit, her sharp
tongue, and her love of art and literature.
She was a combination of her father, self-made drilling mud tycoon, Henry
David, and her beautiful, brilliant mother, Grace, whose taste and kindness
amazed and inspired all who knew her.
Dianne could be difficult with even her closest friends, every one of whom bore
the bite of her criticism at least once. She was talented, intelligent and had
little patience with those who disagreed with or couldn't match her. Her wrath
could be withering but we knew her well and forgave it. She was often right and
was always given another chance.
Dianne's star shone brightly. Her pioneering David Gallery in the late 60's,
was the most influential of its time and enlivened the Houston art scene with
creative exhibitions that introduced the works of her brother Dorman David, Bob
Camblin, Lucas Johnson, Earl Staley, Roy Fridge, Jim Love, David McManaway,
Charles Pebworth, Donald Roller Wilson, William T. Wiley, Larry Rivers, Seymour
Leichmann, Guy Johnson, amongst others and in doing so influenced the direction
of contemporary art in Houston. Her taste inspired friends and patrons alike
who are now the better for it.
After closing the gallery and moving out of Houston ( to Brenham), Dianne continued to
discover and promote artists on her own, including Julie Speed, until a
cerebral aneurism brought confusion to her amazing mind.
She will also be remembered for her fabulous cooking and frequent dinner
parties usually with a fascinating mix of artists and intellectuals espousing
worthy causes. She had a great love for her animals, from a series of dogs each
named Possum, her horse, Cutty Sark and her turtles that lived in an artfully
amazing outdoor condo that she created for them.
Besides her friends, she will be missed by her children, Anna Kimberly (Kim)
Braun and Charles Edward (Chase) Crossingham, daughter-in-law, Rhonda,
grandchildren Jordan Kimberly and Charles (Chad) Crossingham, Carl Alexander
Braun, all of Mt. Airy, North Carolina and brother, talented Houston artist,
Dorman David.
Burial will be in North Carolina.
Published by Houston Chronicle from Mar. 4 to Mar. 5, 2012.
April 14, 1938-
August 9, 2014
Sarah
Virginia Taylor, age 76, passed peacefully away Saturday, August 9, 2014 at her
home on Galveston Island.
Sarah was born April 14, 1938 in Fort Worth, Texas. She grew up in River Oaks
in Houston with her sisters Elizabeth and Karen and remained in the Houston-
Galveston area her whole life finally calling Galveston her permanent home
1976.
After graduating Lamar High School in Houston in 1955 (class of 1956), she went on to Pine
Manor Junior College followed by attending the University Of Houston. She then
began raising a family and started her teaching career.
Sarah had worked as a teacher her entire life. She managed to balance her
teaching career and providing for her children in a truly graceful manner. Her
joys were simply spending time with family, helping to raise her grandchildren,
and sitting on her deck enjoying the view. Her children and grandchildren, she
always commented, were her greatest blessings.
She is survived by her sister Karen Taylor; sons John, Ernie and Ben Weldon;
niece, Virginia Frantzeskakis; grandchildren Robert, Julianna, Samantha and
Alison Weldon and numerous other family members.
A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Friday, August 15, 2014 with a
visitation beginning at 1:00pm at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home in Galveston.
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Marilyn Boyd Howe Oliva 83 of York, South Carolina, formerly of Prescott,
Arizona, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday April 17th, 2022, surrounded
by her loving children, Thorndike Howe, and Phyllis Chaney, after a long
hard-fought battle with Dementia.
Marilyn was born on June 16, 1938, to Walter Earnest Boyd and Virginia Eagle in
Houston, Texas. Her maternal grandfather, the Honorable Joe Henry Eagle, was a
congressman representing the Houston area for a total of 12 years during the
period before and after Woodrow Wilson's Presidency. Her paternal grandfather,
Ewing Boyd, was a Judge in Harris County for a period of 44 years. Her father
Walter Ernest Boyd, after returning from the Pacific Area in World War 2,
served as City Attorney in the Administration of Mayor Oscar Holcomb, and
practiced Criminal Law in Houston until his early death in 1964 from
Encephalitis.
She married Johnny Dearborn in 1960 and had her first-born son Langdon
Dearborn. Johnny passed away in 1961 at a very early age from cancer. She then
married Thorndike Dudley Howe III and had her 2nd and 3rd child, Thorndike
Dudley Howe IV, and Phyllis Hayden Howe. They divorced in the late 1970's.
She is preceded in death by her 3rd husband Ralph Paul Oliva, son Langdon
Dearborn and grandson Cory Justus Chaney. She is survived by son Thorndike
Dudley Howe IV and wife Sylvia, her daughter Phyllis Hayden Chaney and husband
Mark of Brookshire Texas. Siblings Walter Boyd (Virginia), Joe Boyd (Karen) and
Ginger Richardson (Mark) as well as 5 grandchildren Christopher Mark and
Rebecca Hayden Chaney, Bryan and Jessica Pender, and Thorndike Dudley Howe V.
Stepdaughters, Christina Oliva of Los Angeles California, Theresa Mann of
Lehighton, Pennsylvania; stepson, Mike Oliva, and wife Teresita; step grandchildren
Katie, and Mike Oliva.
In Marilyn's early years, she was an avid tennis player and was happiest when
she was on the tennis courts with many of her good friends in the Texas Hill
Country. She was known for her infectious laugh, and always having a good time
with friends and family. Anyone who knew Marilyn was touched by her kindness,
humor, generosity, and positive outlook on life. She was truly a people person,
and if you were lucky enough to know her, she probably changed your life to the
better.
Marilyn moved to Prescott Arizona around 1989 where she met and married Ralph
Oliva. They enjoyed camping and mining in the great open spaces of the desert
and relished the views from their quaint mountain home. She soon became the
Director and part owner of Pia's Place, a women's rehabilitation facility,
where she changed the lives of so many. She was passionate and caring with her
clients and made many lifelong friends along the way. Marilyn kept many
friendships close to her heart for over 70 years.
A Celebration and Memorial was held on her birthdate, June 16, 2022, at Ninfa's
Mexican Restaurant in Houston Texas which was one of her favorite places to
dine and enjoy the company of her many friends. Marilyn was interned at Forest
Park Lawndale 6900 Lawndale ST, Houston, TX 77023 beside her son Langdon
Dearborn and husband Johnny Dearborn. Donations can be made in Marilyn's name
to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
April 25, 1938 — November 3, 2019
Judy Blackbird Cooper, 81 of Katy, passed away Sunday,
November 3rd at the Caydance Assisted Living Center in Katy, Texas. Graveside
services will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, November 13th at Plantersville
Cemetery in Plantersville, Texas. Rev. David Huegel will officiate.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Judy was born in Cushing, Oklahoma April 25, 1938, one of two daughters born to
Alfred and Mary Moffitt Blackbird. She grew up in Houston, Texas and graduated
from Mirabeau Lamar High School in 1955. She enrolled in and attended the
University of Texas until she met her first husband, Wayne Morrison, who was in
the U.S. Air Force and stationed in San Antonio, Texas. She left school when
she married him in 1957. She had her first child, Michael Glen (Glen) Morrison,
while still stationed in San Antonio, on May 17, 1959. After her husband was
discharged, they moved to Houston and had their second child, Janet Lee (Jan)
Shepperd on April 17, 1961.
She became a single mom in 1965, remarried in 1967 and moved to Clear Lake
City, where her husband was a commercial artist for NASA by day and a musician
by night.
After a few years, she moved back to Houston, worked as a medical
transcriptionist and raised her children in West University Place. She started
taking flying lessons at Hooks Airport in Spring, Texas in 1977 and obtained
her license in 1978. For many years thereafter, she spent her weekends with
friends/fellow pilots and they routinely took excursions to nearby destinations
for lunch, shelling, shopping, etc. Once her children were grown, she moved to Montgomery
and lived there for many years until she bought a home and moved to Tomball,
Texas to be closer to her parents who had retired in Plantersville, Texas. Judy
enjoyed reading, genealogy, word games, and travelling. Throughout her life she
visited Alaska, Canada, England, Ireland, Mexico, Paris and Scotland, among
other places.
Judy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Sidney Shepperd;
sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Larry Blackwell and grandsons Alexander
Morgenegg and Anthony Morrison. She was preceded in death by her parents and
son Michael Glen Morrison.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in
her name to the following charities: The Abandoned Animal Rescue at www.aartexas.org OR
The Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
.
May 7, 1937 –
September 16, 2017
Mary Tutwiler Gilpin died on September 16, 2017 at age 80 due to pulmonary complications. A native Texan, she was born to John and Inez Tutwiler in Houston on May 7, 1937. She leaves three children, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.
Her life was spent in three very different parts of the country, each strongly influencing her way of life. Her first 20 years were in Houston--covering the latter period of the Great Depression, World War II, and the launch of rock and roll; her next 20 in western North Carolina--where she raised her children and developed an abiding love for the Blue Ridge Mountains and college basketball. She returned to Houston for ten years--working in property management for Harold Farb and loving and agonizing over the Oilers. The remainder of her life was spent in the Austin area, where she shocked her Aggies-loving relatives by becoming an ardent UT sports enthusiast.
She was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as a treasured sister, aunt, and friend--was always available, gave good advice, offered droll observations of life, and had a wicked sense of humor. Like her two siblings, she was great fun and good company.
Her life was anchored by her deep faith and membership in the Episcopal Church. She was an avid sports fan (especially pro and college football and college basketball), an incessant reader (on her favorite T-shirt: "I cannot live without books"), and a life-long die-hard democrat. Her love of music ranged from Janis Joplin and Willie Nelson to Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, and Cold Play. She could not live without dogs. And, her favorite movie was The Jerk.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Nancy Richards; brother, John Tutwiler, Jr.; aunt, Virginia Ezell; and nephew, Mark Richards.
She will be immeasurably missed by her children, Lisa Gilpin Tan and husband, Noel of Austin; Jeff Gilpin and wife Michiyo of Gainesville, VA; and Elaine Timbes of Austin; grandchildren, Rachel Tan of Waipahu, Hawaii; Sarah Tan of Austin; Frank Tan of Austin; Timothy Gilpin of Fort Leonard Wood, MO; and Aya Gilpin of Quincy, CA; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Teresa, Noel, Chase, Athena, Amara, Tim, Lyla, and Brodie.
The family is grateful to the doctors and staff of Mark Pirwitz, John Dallas, Flint Deshazo, Mauricio Sardan, and Quan Dang. Also, many thanks to the Seton Hospital respiratory staff and the 4th floor IMC nursing staff, including Joy, Lorena, Lisa, Deanna; and the Austin Hospice staff.
A very special and heartfelt thank you for their love, care, and support goes to Pat Rowan, Ellen Richards, Laurel Richards, Charles and Gail Dowis, Linda Watson, Lisa Webb, and Niki Flowers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Austin Hospice, American Cancer Society, and the Austin SPCA.
Barbara Ann Armstrong Branan
Barbara: November 17, 1938 — January 2, 2021
Barbara and Lynn always supported their local church. In lieu of flowers and if interested, please make a donation in their name to your place of worship. Or please donate to the Steve Abbe Legacy Fund at Crossroads Fellowship Church that supports many opportunities in and around the Waco area at https://xroads.churchcenter.com/giving
Lynn was born November 24, 1934 in Houston, Texas to James Iverson Branan and Ester Louise Butler Branan. He died on January 1, 2021 in Waco, Texas. Barbara was born November 17, 1938 in Houston, Texas to Thomas Carlton Armstrong and Dora Blanche Fletcher Armstrong. She died on January 2, 2021 in Waco, Texas.
Lynn grew up in West University Place on Tennyson, graduating from Lamar High School. After high school, he attended the University of Houston studying Chemical Engineering. Barbara grew up in West U too on Albans, just a few miles apart. She also graduated from Lamar High School. She attended Sam Houston State for a short time after high school. They both attended West University Baptist Church. They were introduced by a mutual friend while Barbara was still in high school. Their friend lived behind Lynn and took Barbara to visit Lynn while he was sick. They fell in love and Lynn asked Barbara for her hand in marriage. Her parents insisted she go to college. Barbara finished the fall semester and came home. The couple got married on January 27, 1957 at West University Baptist Church.
Their early marriage was busy with both working and Lynn attending night school. They bought a Phillips 66 filling station and ran the station for a short time. On August 29, 1958 Richard Lynn was born. Their lives changed immediately. The economic times were difficult, and Lynn recognized he needed a steady reliable income. With the help of his uncle, Lynn secured a lab tech job at a new steel mill in Rosenberg, Texas. He worked for Gulf States Tube for the next 40 years. When they moved to Brooks Ave in Rosenberg, Barbara was expecting their second child. Cynthia Ann was born on November 4, 1960. They began attending First Baptist Church Rosenberg, getting involved as teachers and leaders. Their kids grew up in the small-town atmosphere of Rosenberg. Then a surprise introduced herself on June 24, 1972 – Melissa Kay had arrived. They watched their kids involved in baseball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Band concerts and choir musicals along with Friday cheerleading kept them busy. The family enjoyed camping trips in their Starcraft tent camper, traveling throughout Texas and the surrounding states. The church was an important part of their routine. Lynn became an ordained deacon and Barbara was a Children’s Sunday School teacher for years.
As their children left home, Lynn became the manager of Gulf States Tube. He also served on the Rosenberg Park Board and with the Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce. During his time with the Chamber, he worked with the Economic Development Council and helped create the infrastructure for future growth. Barbara worked in several preschool programs, eventually taking over the Mother’s Day out program at FBC Rosenberg. Barbara fed her love of history by working as a docent with the Fort Bend County Museum. She loved helping with Christmas at the Moore Home.
With the birth of their first grandchild, traveling became an important past time. They made countless trips to Fort Worth, Maryland, Waco, Austin, and Needville. When Lynn retired from Gulf States Tube, they attended soccer games, football games, swim meets, softball tournaments and other events of their grandkids. They loved taking little side trips too.
After many years in Rosenberg, Lynn and Barbara moved to their dream home in College Station. They quickly involved themselves in a new church, Christian Women’s Club, and volunteering. They invited college students into their home for Bible studies, Lynn leading and Barbara hosting. Barbara loved any and all holidays and together they decorated their home. Family get-togethers were in their home. The house was full of people, food, games, and noise. They loved it. They celebrated their 50th and 60th anniversaries in College Station. As their health declined, they moved into a retirement community in Waco. At the Delaney, they again became involved in their community.
After Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she moved into the memory care unit. Lynn visited her daily and supported her and helped where he could. In the last months of their lives, they suffered some medical setbacks. On January 1, late in the evening, Lynn passed away, less than eight hours later, Barbara followed.
Their faith in Christ never waned and their love and devotion to each other never stopped. They loved their kids, watching each make a decision to follow Christ. They supported their marriages, doted on their grandkids and fawned over great-grandchildren. The family is grateful to the staff at the Delaney and St. Anthony’s for their care for Lynn and Barbara.
Their legacy is their family and the people that passed in and out of their lives. They loved each one with the love of Christ and prayed for and encouraged many, many people. They loved the local church and supported them with their time and their money.
They were preceded in death by their parents and Lynn’s brother Don. They are survived by Rick and Toni Branan and their son Christopher; Cyndi and Steve Abbe and their girls, Emily and her husband Daniel, with Troy, Teague, and Harper and Erin and her husband Austin with Jacks and Leighton; and Melissa and her husband Ryan Perry and their girls, Layne and Kate as well as Lynn’s sisters Jenny and her husband Leonard Tompkins and Peggy and her husband Rick Kuenstle and Barbara’s brother Tom Armstrong and her sister Kathy and her husband William Hutton. They also loved all of their cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
October 27. 1937 - October 4, 2022
Charles Edmond Knapp passed away on October 4, 2022 in Cedar
Park, Texas. He was our gentle rock. Charles was born in Houston, Texas on
October 27, 1937 to George and Tommie Knapp. He was Yo Yo Champion of Houston
in his youth. He was an avid Houston Astro fan and a lifelong Aggie enthusiast.
Charles enjoyed his many years working in construction. In 2004, he and his
wife Nan moved to the Texas Hill Country and settled in Point Venture, Texas. There,
he enjoyed playing golf and socializing with all of his many golf buddies.He is
survived by his loving wife Nan,his daughter Vicki Lloyd, his son David Knapp
and daughter-in-law Cathy Knapp, and many grandchildren.
Services will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 10 am at Lakeside
Christian Fellowship in Lago Vista. Donations may be made to the Point Venture
Lion's Club, P.O. Box 4724, Lago Vista, Texas 78645.
Linda Moncus (Stratton). Midterm
July 10, 1937 - May 30, 2015
Linda M. Stratton passed away on May 30, 2015 . Funeral Home Services for Linda are being held June 3, 2015 12:00pm
Interment Details
Glenwood Cemetery
Jan 18, 1939-MARCH 18, 2011
Barbara Anne Crate Huff , age 72 passed away on March 18, 2011. Preceded in death by her parents, George and Harriot Crate, twin sister, Betty Anne Turner and son, Kenneth Huff. She is survived by her husband Henry Huff, of 53 years of marriage and her children, Allen Huff and wife Carole, Rhonda and husband James Devereux, Janet Spradlin and husband Pat; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michelle, Robert, Andrew, James Joseph, and Bryan; great-grandchild, Madeline Jane; sister, Frances Crate and nieces, nephews, many cousins and friends. Visitation Monday, March 21, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Advantage Funeral Home. Funeral Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 9:00 am in the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery . In lieu of flowers please make donations to American Heart or Lung Association.
October 26, 1937 – October 16, 2023
Margaret Miller Schomer, 85, of Houston, TX, went to be with the Lord on October 16, 2023.
Margaret was born to Jesse G. Miller and Marcelle Loggins Miller, October 26, 1937, in Houston, TX. She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1955. She had two sons whom she loved very much.
Margaret is survived by her sons Steven Schomer and his wife Kim, Chris Schomer and his wife Orelia, and as well as grandchildren Erica Peck and her husband Hansen, Samuel Schomer and Daniel Schomer.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Miller, her mother, Marcelle Miller, her sister Vasser Miller, her sister Joy Morton, her brother David Miller, and her former husband Daniel Schomer.
Before she was married, Margaret worked as the personal administrative assistant to Dr. Michael DeBakey at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Her favorite activities were spending time with friends and family. Margaret was a big sports enthusiast and enjoyed cheering on the Houston Astros, the Houston Texans, and the University of Houston Cougars. She loved being around people and being active. She will be greatly missed by her family and loved ones.
A moment of reflection will be held at 9:00 AM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral home. A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 10:00 AM at Forest Park Cemetery officiated by Larry Bertrand.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Schomer family.
July 17, 1938 – May 17, 2020
Jan has left us for a while, but the memory of her loving, cheerful smile remains with all who knew her.
She wore her smile as a badge of courage as she struggled bravely with declining health from Vascular Parkinsonism and cancer before passing on May 17, 2020, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all can look forward to seeing her and her smile again when we join her in heaven.
Jan was born in San Antonio on July 17, 1938, the daughter of Cornelia and Ira Brinkerhoff. She grew up in Houston, where she graduated from Lamar High School. She then attended Mount Vernon Junior College in Georgetown before enrolling at the University of Texas-Austin to major it journalism. It was there, working on the Daily Texan school newspaper, that she met her husband, Barney (Bernard A.).
Upon graduation they went to work for competing newspapers, Jan The Houston Post and Barney The Houston Press. The competition did nothing to cool their relationship, however. They were married February 11, 1961. Son Christopher was born almost two years later and not many months after that the family moved to San Diego where Barney joined General Dynamics Astronautics and son Robert was born. Daughter Emilia was born in Seattle while Barney was at Boeing. The family moved to the Akron area when Barney joined Goodyear and Goodyear Aerospace in 1971.
It was in Seattle and Akron that Jan found her true calling, first as a theme reader for the Seattle public school system and then as a high school English teacher at Barberton High School. She loved her students and she loved teaching. Working as faculty advisor for the school yearbook and newspaper was pure pleasure for her. From her first year at BHS to the last, her yearbook picture hardly changed, just a little more gray hair to go along with that great big beautiful smile.
Jan is survived by her beloved husband, Barney; sons and their wives, Christopher and Sheryl, Oxnard, CA, and Robert and Nichole, Potomac, MD; daughter, Emilia, Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Thien, Sabrina, James and Samantha; sister, Keith Callaway, New Braunfels, TX, and Keith's daughter, Coe VanderZee, Austin. All of whom brought her great joy.
The family would especially like to thank Mary Lich and her daughter Kristy Zwisler for their kindness and devotion to Jan. We are grateful for their support and consider them as members of our family.
We also send Jan's love and gratitude to all of the kind friends she made down through the years, to the residents and staff of Brookdale Montrose for their kindness and care, to Sheila Hutzler, our beloved Catholic Lay Minister, and her husband John, and to all the nurses, doctors and staff of the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Hospice who brought her so much comfort.
Private burial services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery with Fr. Steve Brunovsky, pastor of St. Hilary Catholic Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Akron Christ Child Society at http://www.nationalchristchild.org/donate/ or St. Hilary Parish at https://membership.faithdirect.net/FD247
January 6, 1939-February 15, 2021
Carol Ann Nordheimer, 82, community leader, professional woman, and fierce advocate for progressive politics and minority businesses, died on February 15, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Born on January 6, 1939 in Port Arthur, Texas, to Vance Henry and Elzene Miller Trimble. She grew up in Houston, and moved to the DC area in her senior year in high school, graduating from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where she was the editor of the school paper. Carol Ann earned a BA in journalism from University of Pennsylvania. She was the editor of Penn's student newspaper, president of her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and the women's Student Body President. She went on to earn a Masters in Communications from Penn's new Annenberg School of Communications. Her career was characterized by breaking new ground and fearlessness. During the height of the Civil Rights movement, she worked for a pioneering political pollster, going door to door in the South asking questions about race. Carol Ann was one of two original staff of the University City Science Center at Penn. She was the founding Director of New Jobs for Philadelphia, supporting minority-owned businesses. For Fox Chase Cancer Center, she lobbied for Pennsylvania's penny-a-pack cigarette tax to fund cancer research. She was the first woman salesperson hired at a Philadelphia Pontiac dealership and earned the "Salesman of the Month" award so often, they changed the rules. Carol Ann cared deeply about social justice, and she relished both the drama and the detail of electoral politics. She held leadership roles in many campaigns, including for Pennsylvania State Senator Hardy Williams; U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman; PA Sen. John Heinz; Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, under whom she also served as Assistant Managing Director for the City; Wilmington City Councilor Maria Cabrera; and DE State Rep. Deborah Heffernan. She also supported numerous other candidates and campaigns as staff, fundraising host, and advisor, and she mentored many first-time candidates, especially women. She served on the board of directors of the Forum of Executive Women, Philadelphia and co-founded and later served as President for the Wilmington Forum of Executive Women. She served a Commissioner of the Delaware Commission of Women for many years thereafter. She was a Founder of the Delaware Fund for Women. She was the ultimate business matchmaker, connecting countless numbers of individuals, organizations, and opportunities. In 1994, she opened her own firm, MarketTech Associates, Inc., which focused on helping small businesses grow and on political campaigns, providing support for both young and established business clients, and strategic planning for various public sector programs aimed at minority-owned business in Delaware. Carol Ann was a past President of the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club. She became the first woman District Governor for her district. With her husband Ron, she produced and hosted a Rotary-themed radio interview show called Pathways to Service. Carol Ann had a passion for connecting people throughout her life. Her commitment to friends and family ran deep. She loved introducing her friends from the wide diaspora of her many experiences. She was brilliant at growing and maintaining these rich connections. She and Ron were a couple by the time his three teenaged children moved in with him in 1974. She took it all in stride and quickly established her welcomed place in our family. She would visit us in Delaware and their weekend dates became 21 loads of laundry. By the time they got married, Carol Ann was already deeply a part of us, and we three "kids" had become central to her heart and life. Carol Ann loved Miracle Whip, whipped cream, and vanilla ice cream and she put pepper on nearly everything. She could type well over 100wpm and was a voracious reader, rarely taking longer than a day to finish a book. She was brilliant, tall and kind and loved a good laugh and an old story. She was helpful and whip-smart and truly a gift to all of us. Carol Ann was predeceased by her mother, Elzene Trimble. She is survived by her 107-year-old father, Vance Trimble; her husband of 43 years, Ronald Nordheimer; her stepchildren; Diane Nordheimer (Dennis Wayland) of Spring, TX, and their son Kyle Wayland; David Nordheimer (Denise) of Wilmington, DE and their daughter, Lily; and Rex Nordheimer (Nancy) of Monroeville, PA and their daughter, Melissa; niece, Jill Weisenfeld of Philadelphia; nephew Neil Weisenfeld, (Sadaf) and their daughter Samara of Boston, MA. A burial was held February 19 at the Woodlands Cemetery, in Philadelphia, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you contribute to the Delaware Fund for Women, the Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation, or the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center or any organization supporting civil rights or reproductive justice. Carol Ann would love it if you would also cause some of what John Lewis called "good trouble," and think of her.
Posted online on March 12, 2021
Published in The News Journal
Sara Jean Pennington Wren
January 30, 1939 – July 25, 2017
Dr. Jean Wren, 78, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away to the Lord peacefully surrounded by family and friends July 25, 2017. She was born in Amory, Mississippi on January 30, 1939 to Roland and Sara Pennington.
Jean devoted her life to education, and had an impressive career in Friendswood ISD. Beginning as a teacher, Jean soon became a school assistant principal and then a principal. She then assumed the additional responsibilities of Community Education Coordinator, Vocational Administrator, Director of Instructional Programs and Director of Special Education for the district. In 1977, she was named Assistant Superintendent for Instruction of FISD, becoming one of the very first females to assume such a role in Texas education. She retired from FISD in 1994.
Dr. Wren went on to serve as an educational consultant and adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas, UH-Clear Lake, UH-University Park, and Texas A&M University. Jean held a long standing leadership role in helping advance the seven county Region 4 Education Center, where she wrote and organized the Title I reading program. She has published many articles on educational topics, and received many awards and grants, including Who’s Who of American Women, and a certificate of appreciation for civic work from the City of Friendswood. Jean served on the board of directors of the First Educators Credit Union (later Smart Financial) for many years. She also served as a longtime board member of the Regency Estates Home Owners Association.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Sara Pennington.
She is survived by her sons, Patrick Robert Wren and wife, Amy; Kiley John Wren and wife Melissa; grandchildren, Sophia, Noah, and Savannah; brother, Roland Randolph Pennington Jr.; sister, Ann Manning; loving partner Ed Cousins, his children, Daniel Cousins, Sandra Stanford and husband Chad, and their children, Chase, Clayton and Connor.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017 in the Chapel of Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Jean will be laid to rest in the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.
1-14-1939 – June 5, 2014
Howard Robert (Bob) Courts, born 1-14-1939 in Centralia IL, Bob Courts passed peacefully on June 5, 2014 in the loving arms of his wife, Belva Courts and daughter, Lisa Townsend.
Bob held a BS in Physics from UT Austin. He began his career at Tracor in Austin, then co-founded Unitech Corp. He retired from Texas Instruments after 20+ years as a Senior Member of the Technical Staff and holder of several patents. Aside from his many successes and professional accomplishments Bob enjoyed personal investment management and saving strategies, ever graciously teaching and sharing his knowledge with others. Bob richly enjoyed his family and friends and he was cherished and respected by all who knew him. He was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
He is preceded in death by his father Howard, mother Virginia, sister Beverly McKelvy and daughter Debbie Kelley.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Belva, daughters Lisa and Linda Gay Pena, Matt Peterson, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation - Cook-Walden Capital Parks Pflugerville - Tues. Jun 10th: 6-8 pm; private interment Wed. Jun 11th.
