Needa Ross

Needa Faye Stubblefield Ross passed away peacefully in the presence of family on September 16, 2020, in Brenham, Texas. She was just nearing her 90th birthday when she suffered a stroke in her home.

Needa was a prolific painter. Painting was a touchstone for her, as she kept a separate studio on her property that was once shared with her equally talented late husband, Hardy E Ross. Her landscapes and still lifes were close looks into nature and were well known locally. In 2015 the Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum held a retrospective of her work, showing over 25 works throughout. Additionally, Needa played a yearly role in her community by painting several of the widely spread posters for both the Scarecrow and Bluebonnet Festivals of Chappell Hill. A kind and gentle woman, she was admired by her art students and friends.

The walls of her hand-crafted home bore evidence of a colorful life well lived and well-traveled. Family photographs, a glass screen she and her husband created together, a portrait she painted of her young grand-daughters, and painted scenes recalling shared adventures with Hardy – all were placed thoughtfully throughout, offering moments of insight into this quiet, yet steadfast soul.

Needa was born to Nerva and George Stubblefield in Harlingen, Texas, on October 12, 1930. Soon thereafter, the family moved to her grandfather’s family farm near Palacios where she thrived surrounded by nature and animals. A natural-born caregiver, Needa was delighted when her baby sister Georgene was born.

A popular student at Blessing High School, she graduated at the top of her class. After graduation she attended Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos where she was a member of the 1947 college tumbling club. And with a notorious eighteen-inch waist, she became a featured model for Muriel’s Dress Shop at matinee performances during intermission at The Hollywood Theater in Palacios.

In January of 1949, Needa married the love of her life, Hardy E Ross. The couple had two children, Karen and George. After the children began their own lives, Needa and Hardy enhanced their own with a house and land worthy of painting. The property was greatly enjoyed by friends and family. The grandchildren, now adults, still recollect spending time in the studio barn where Needa would patiently teach them to paint, or Hardy would weave with them, or make stained glass.

Needa is survived by her children Karen Ross Oswalt and husband Dr. John D. (Chip) Oswalt of Austin; George Hardy Ross and wife Karen Schramek Ross of San Antonio; grandchildren Sara and Claire Oswalt of Austin; Matt Ross of Washington, DC; Chris Ross of Ingleside; her sister Georgene Stubblefield Brandon and husband Dr Thomas R Brandon; and nephews Ross Brandon, Stephen Brandon, and wife Juliet, all of Houston.

The family will gather in Palacios for a private gravesite service.

A visitation will be held at 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

For those wishing to make a memorial contribution honoring Needa Ross: Heartgift 3310 Breaker Lane Builidng 2 STE 300 #704 Austin, TX 77851 www.heartgift.org; or Houston Area Parkinson’s Society 2700 SW Freeway, Suite 300 Houston, TX 77098 www.hapsonline.org.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833.

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