Individual Details
Bertha Bess Gray
(18 Nov 1929 - 12 Sep 2022)
Bertha Jamison lived a complete life, filled to abundance with joy, purpose and love. Hard work, service and devotion to God and family were her guideposts. With her sweet and kind disposition, she left an unforgettable impression on everyone she met. She genuinely cared about people and she treasured the countless friends she made throughout her life.
A native of Beaumont, Texas, she was born on the 18th of November 1929. At the age of five her family moved to Houston attending Montrose Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School, where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1947. She then attended Rice Institute (now Rice University) and graduated with a BA in Medieval History in 1951. At Rice she was vice president of the sophomore class, a member of the Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, Outstanding Senior and Phi Beta Kappa. She later obtained a Master of Education at the University of Houston.
Bertha's entire career was spent in education. She taught at Mark Twain and Walnut Bend Elementary Schools. She then became a principal at Milam Elementary in HISD and was the founding principal at Chambers Elementary and Chancellor Elementary in Alief ISD. She retired in 1988 but continued an active life of volunteerism. Her activities included the Blue Bird Circle, Memorial Assistance Ministries and the Alexander Love chapter of the DAR. She was also on the board at The Willowick where she was a resident for many years.
The most meaningful area of service to her was Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Guided by her unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, she was a dedicated member for 58 years. She was especially active in the Wedding Band and Candlelighters Sunday School classes and the Chapelwood School. In recognition of her service and leadership, the church named her a Lifetime Board Member.
Bertha married her high school sweetheart Sam James "Jim" Jamison in 1951 and they spent 57 wonderful years together until his death in 2008. They enjoyed traveling to many countries, spending time with family and friends and were fixtures at Lamar High School reunions. Despite declining health, she still maintained a positive and peaceful demeanor. As she recently wrote in her journal, "I am a child of God, and my cup runneth over." We will greatly miss our Bertha, Mom and Memomma.
Bertha was predeceased by her parents, Hugh Rufus Gray and Bertha Oliphint Gray; her husband Jim Jamison; and granddaughter, Angela Jamison.
A memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 21st of September, in the sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston, where Wick Stuckey, Senior Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Prior to the service the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.
Events
Families
Spouse | Samuel James Jamison Jr. (1929 - 2008) |
Child | James Gray Jamison (1953 - ) |
Child | Bryan William Jamison (1956 - ) |
Child | Living |
Father | Hugh Rufus Gray (1900 - 1996) |
Mother | Bertha Benton Oliphint (1900 - 1997) |
Notes
Birth
Bertha Bess GraySex Female
Father's Name Hugh Rufus Gray
Father's Sex Male
Mother's Name Bertha Benton Oliphint
Mother's Sex Female
Event Type Birth
Event Date 18 November 1929
Event Place Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas
Census (family)-shared
Hugh R Gray Head M 39 ArkansasBertha Gray Wife F 39 Texas
Bertha Bess Gray Daughter F 10 Texas
Residence
Bertha Gray JamisonResidence Date01 Aug 2007
Residence PlaceHouston, Texas, United States
Birth Date18 Nov 1929
AddressHouston, Texas 77027
Address Date01 Aug 2007
2nd AddressHouston, Texas 77024
2nd Address Date01 Nov 1989-05 Dec 2008
3rd AddressHouston, Texas 77024
3rd Address Date01 Feb 1987-01 Jan 1998
Possible RelativesSam James Jamison Jr
Endnotes
1. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHZP-LTM : accessed 4 February 2016), Bertha Bess Gray, 18 Nov 1929; citing Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas, United States, certificate , Bureau of Vital Statistics. State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,139,039..
2. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V879-3G5 : 5 December 2014), Bertha Bess Gray, 18 Nov 1929; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services..
3. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4WS-72R : accessed 4 February 2016), Bertha Bess Gray in household of Hugh R Gray, Tract 42, Houston, Justice Precinct 1, Harris, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 258-245, sheet 2A, family 32, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 4198..
4. "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KPW4-3QT : 22 May 2014), Bertha Gray Jamison, Residence, Houston, Texas, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information..
5. .