Edith Mckissock

Today we come to honor Edith Johnson McKissock, born in Schenectady, NY on May 19, 1911 and deceased in Houston, TX on April 6, 2004. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, William Thompson McKissock; her grandson, William Thompson McKissock III; her parents, Oscar and Victoria Johnson; and her brother, Milton Johnson. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and is dearly loved by her children, William Thompson McKissock of Warrenton, NC, Carole Edith and Robert Peterson of Houston, TX, Milton Johnson and Mary Lou McKissock of Birmingham, AL and Janis Anita Lehman of Duncanville, TX; her grandchildren, Laura Lynne and Chris Kubin of DeSoto, TX, Catherine Ann and Peter Willis of Morrisville, NC, David Shelby Peterson of Houston, TX and Charles Robert and Ashley Peterson of Austin, TX; plus countless friends and students. Her lifetime commitment of service to others began at a young age. As the daughter of a Swedish Baptist minister and a homemaker, she worked diligently in the music and Sunday school programs at her father s church. Later she was the president of the Baptist Young People s Association in Akron, Ohio and then the secretary for the state-wide organization. After receiving both her bachelor s and master s degrees from the University of Akron, she began a career in education in which she never deviated from her strong concern for the growth and welfare of young people. She began her professional work as a teacher in the Akron public schools. After her marriage to Bill, she moved to Youngstown and served on the faculty in mathematics, as coordinator of retail merchandising, and as a dean of women at Youngstown University. Moving to Cincinnati in 1945, she became affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, where she also served as a dean. Moves with her husband led her to Dallas, TX, where she first taught mathematics and later served for many years as a counselor in the Dallas Independent School District. During this period, she was an active member of Wynnewood Presbyterian Church, the president of Altrusa International of Oak Cliff, chair of Career Clinics in Oak Cliff, vice president of the Dallas Association of Counselors, a member of the Women s Committee for the Oak Cliff YMCA, a participant in the Dallas Homemaker s Panel sponsored by the Dallas Time Herald, the recipient of the Oak Cliff Women of the Month Award and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Following retirement, she moved to Brenham, TX, where she was a member of the Brenham Presbyterian Church. She then joined her family in Houston, where she was a member and a Stephen Minister at St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church, in addition to serving as a volunteer for the Christian Community Service Center. She cherished the numerous and continued contacts from the students whose lives she touched. Her life always reflected her love of God, her devotion to her family, and her Swedish heritage. She is a wonderful role model for her children and former students, and she is greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 9 at St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX, the Christian Community Service Center in Houston, TX or the Brenham Presbyterian Church in Brenham, TX. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.