Lois Houston

Lois Nixon "Nonnie" Houston passed away at her daughter''s home lovingly surrounded by family on November 9, 2011. Services will be held Friday, November 11, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Brenham, with the Reverend Harry Vein officiating, assisted by the Reverend Dale Chance. Memorial Oaks Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow in Prairie Lee Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday night, November 10, 2011, at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Lois was born December 1, 1924, the daughter of Lennis Murray and Jessie Nixon. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith. Due to the untimely death of her father in 1927, Lois age 3, and her brother Duane age 6, and their mother went to live with her grandparents, the Frank Murrays. Her grandfather was the County Commissioner during the time the present Burleson County Courthouse was built. Her grandparents, Uncles John and Kiddo Murray along with her Aunts Jennie and Eulelia Murray were integral figures in her life after her father passed away. At a very young age Lois learned the importance of a strong work ethic and assisted her family financially while her mother was bedridden with a heart condition. She was a distinguished student in school and graduated Salutatorian of her Somerville High School Class of 1942. She received a scholarship from Baylor University for her tuition but was unable to attend lacking resources for room and board. On July 21, 1945 she married William Sledge "Sonny" Houston, Jr. She loved to tell people she didn''t know where she met her husband as they started school together in the first grade and went to the Methodist Sunday School Class together before that. While her husband was serving in WWII, she was employed at the Texas A&M College Registrar''s Office. After Sonny returned from serving his country, he and Lois moved to Chicago where he attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry. While in Chicago, Lois worked for the Vice President and General Counsel for the AT & SF Railroads. After Sonny''s graduation from college they returned to Brenham where he opened his Optometry practice, and Lois worked by his side as his office manager until their retirement. Upon the arrival of her two children, Lois dedicated her life to her family. She was involved in every aspect of their lives, as well as those of their friends. Education was a passion of hers and she made many significant contributions to the Brenham Public School System. She was elected and served as the Secretary for three terms on the Brenham Independent School Board of Trustees. For many years she volunteered and served in the "Parents on Patrol" Program greeting and encouraging students every Monday morning at the Brenham Middle School and later at Brenham High School. She was dedicated to ensuring that her own children and grandchildren received college degrees. Lois and Sonny became members of the First United Methodist Church of Brenham in 1951, where they nurtured their family''s spiritual growth. They were active in Sunday School and Church, and Lois faithfully attended her church until her health would no longer permit. Her faith and her family were the most important things in her life. Sonny told his children that she had an ever abiding faith of meeting her mother in heaven and as you read this, they are rejoicing together. Lois helped her husband coach a Little League Farm Team. She was extremely knowledgeable about baseball, learning the game from her brother Duane as he pitched for Burton, Blinn, and the Texas A&M Aggies. She was an avid fan of all Brenham sports and took her family to both Brenham High School and Pickard High School baseball games while she was an elected school board member. She believed it was very important to teach and encourage others to support all of her constituents. She was especially proud that her son was the catcher of the 1970 Brenham State Championship Baseball Team. She never missed a game and was often seen taking a carload of girls from one end of Texas to the other to cheer on the team. Everyone knew that a Cub Baseball game couldn''t begin without Lois Houston or her faithful friend, Mr. Henry Foster, Sr.! Last, but certainly not least, Lois was known by all for her undying love of the Fightin'' Texas Aggies. For many years she had season tickets to the football games; her two favorite teams were Texas A&M University and those who played t.u. In later years after her health declined, she spent many hours watching her beloved Aggies on television and "re-coaching" every play with Oralene Giebel. This past April she was thrilled to present her grandson, Taylor Richardson with his Texas A&M Senior Ring. Lois loved to garden and was a member of the Bluebonnet Garden Club. She was a wonderful cook, and neighbors would open the back door to her home to inquire about what she was baking that day! With her knowledge of accounting and a love of numbers, Lois enjoyed keeping the family financial books until a few months ago because of her health. For years she played bridge every Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Somerville with cousins and friends. She belonged to bridge clubs in Somerville and Brenham. She and Sonny loved to dance and were members of the Shufflers Dance Club. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She was a legend in Washington County for her elaborate display of Teddy Bears in her front yard where children and adults would come night after night in December to find the thrill and magic of the season. The decorations were her way of giving back to her family, friends, and community. Lois was patriotic and felt very blessed to be an American. She and Sonny were instrumental in the Republican Party Movement in Washington County. She felt it a privilege to give back to others for all they had done for her. When her friends came to visit her at the end of her life, they all shared stories of how they remembered her for her giving spirit. She was considered by her friends to be faithful, loving, and loyal. Lois is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Dr. W. S. "Sonny" Houston, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law Lennis and Tim Richardson; son and daughter-in-law Dane and Judi Houston; four grandchildren, Jamie and Bill Slade, Lauren LaRoche, Hanna Houston, and Taylor Richardson; and two great-grandsons, Houston and Walker Slade. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lennis Murray and Jessie Nixon; her brother Alvis Duane Nixon and wife Dorothy; and step-father, Robert H. Smith. Pallbearers will be Matt Camarillo, A.W. Hodde, Philip McNicoll, John Murray, Don "Skipper" Murray, Nick Nelms, Charles Proske, Stanley Sommer, Mickey Walker, and Lloyd Wassermann. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wilma Boeker, Cindy Boettcher, Dorothy Gaines, Oralene Giebel, Mary Ann Nelms, Audie Rychlik and the Brenham High School Classes of 1971 and 1972. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Brenham. Funeral arrangements for Lois Houston are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.