Shirley Ann Ramsey Jackson

Shirley Ann Ramsey Jackson peacefully passed away on April 8, 2020.  Shirley was born on January 1, 1935, the first baby girl of the New Year in Houston, Texas.  She remained a resident of Houston through early adulthood before moving to Spring, Texas where she lived out her years.

Shirley is predeceased by her husband of 52 years, William Wayne Jackson, her son Gary Lee Jackson, her brother James Ramsey and her son-in-law, Simon Wray.  She is survived by her daughters Melanie Bratton, Sue Luttrell, Bobbie Snowden and Sandie Wray, sons-in-law Terry Bratton, Barry Snowden, Edward Regan, thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Shirley was a skilled and talented self-taught seamstress, quilter, and knitter.  She was blessed with a natural artistic ability.  She sewed everything from wedding dresses to uniforms for The Woodlands High school dance teams, choir, for Hyden’s Seafood Restaurant, for US Olympic Diving Team in 1986, as well as redesigning the leather upholstery in the Cameron Iron Works Corporate jet.  Shirley was an avid reader with a taste for international espionage and forensic science.

Shirley met Wayne Jackson at her family restaurant, Gilliland’s in Houston, Texas.  The two were married on August 7, 1952 in Bacliff, Texas.  They were blessed with five children during their marriage, Gary Lee, Melanie Ann, Karen Sue, Bobbie Lynn, and Sandie Leigh.  The family home in Spring Hills was a place filled with the constant whir of Shirley’s sewing machine, a multitude of cats and dogs, and wet footprints from the family pool.  It was a place where all were welcomed and treated as family.

Shirley will be missed by all but forgotten by none.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Houston Pets Alive at houstonpetsalive.org