June 30 1941 February 12 2020
JIll Gathright June 30, 1941 – February 12, 2020 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation Jill Watson Gathright, 78, of Mission Valley died peacefully at the home of her daughter with family and faithful canine companion Pretty Boy at her side. Jill is survived by her son, Greg of Wimberley; daughter Melissa Lyman and son-in-law Dr. Robert Lyman of Victoria; sister, June Patty (Alan) of Austin; brother, Wallace Watson (Nancy) of Marin, CA; granddaughters, Kelsey Lippitz (Bryce) and Sarah Lyman, both of Houston; nieces, Sarah and Iryna Patty, nephew, Joe Patty; and sister-in-law Margie Hurdle. She was preceded in death by husband, Howard; parents, John and Dorothy Watson; and brother-in-law, Benjamin Hurdle (Margie). Jill was born to the late John and Dorothy Watson in Kilgore, Texas on June 30, 1941. Jill and her mother lived in Dallas while John served during “The War,” sharing a home with family and friends until her father returned home safely. The family spent time in East Texas where her father was an investigator of illegal slant drilling – “whipstocking” as it was better known. They settled in Victoria during 1955. As members of Trinity Episcopal Church, John served as a Senior Warden and Dorothy taught kindergarten in the school. This is the church home that formed Jill’s lifelong faith. She was a founding member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley and became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mission Valley in 1991. She served continually with the Alter Guild, Prayer Circle, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Jill met Howard Gathright at Victoria High School. Nicknamed ‘Chickadee’ they grew from high school sweethearts to a devoted couple enjoying 60 years of marriage. Son, Greg, and daughter, Melissa, were both born in Victoria sharing the love of parents, grandparents and relatives. In 1968, the family moved to the hills of Wimberley for Jill to complete her education in Library Science after commuting weekends for several years from Victoria to Southwest Texas State University. She was an elementary school librarian in Dripping Springs for many years. Jill and Howard moved to Burnet, Texas in 1984 as there were “too many people” in Wimberley for Howard. In 1991, the couple returned to Howard’s family farm in Mission Valley as loving grandparents of Kelsey and Sarah. Jill served as the elementary school librarian at Juan Linn and Nursery Elementary Schools, continuing her passion of books volunteering at the Victoria Public Library. She retired in 1996. Jill instilled the love of reading to children wherever she served. To this day Kelsey and Sarah are avid readers and recall helping their “Omi” at the library. Her cherished days were spent with granddaughters and Opa playing board games, cards, taking care of animals and reading their favorite books. Words will never describe that special smile, light, love, kindness and devotion to her faith that she shared with so many. The family is especially thankful for all those who shared their love, compassion, patience and care for Jill/Mom/Omi and her family, especially Hospice of South Texas staff, Nurse Liza, Dr. Whitehouse and Pastor Meyer of Zion Lutheran Church in Mission Valley. We are forever grateful to Omi’s angel, Ofelia Rosales, for her continuous compassionate care for the final three years of her illness. Aunt Jan and B. I. Hurdle were always part of Howard and Jill’s lives spending as many Sunday afternoons as possible together solving the problems of the world, sharing stories and a home cooked dessert by Aunt Jan. Maybe if we all returned to the “Old Days” our world would be a happier place. Family and friends are invited for fellowship and celebration of Jill’s life on Sunday, February 23rd from 2-4PM at 707 N. Victoria Street in Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations to Zion Lutheran Church, Hospice of South Texas or charity of donor’s choice. Words of comfort and special memories may be shared at www.freundfuneralhome.com. SERVICES Celebration of Life Sunday, February 23, 2020 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Please keep my message private Personal Message: Personal Message (required) Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of JIll Gathright June 30 1941 February 12 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Cuero, state: Texas