Celia Ross

Celia I. Ross was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on October 2, 1919 and passed away on February 11, 2012 in Katy, Texas. She grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she graduated from Clarksdale High School. She was very popular and sang on a local radio station, represented Clarksdale in the Mississippi Maid of Cotton contest, and played on Clarksdale High School women’s basketball team. She was also a talented dancer and at one point taught dance lessons in ballet and tap. She and Grady J. Ross married in Freeport, Texas where they both worked for The Dow Chemical Company. They later lived in Houston Texas, Rosenberg Texas, West Covina California and Dana Point California. Upon Grady’s retirement from a successful career in the automobile business they moved to Austin, Texas. After Grady’s death she moved to Houston. Celia worked for many years as an executive secretary and held positions with Sheppard Machinery in El Monte California and Resdel Engineering in Arcadia, California.

She is predeceased by her husband Grady J. Ross, mother Mary Scott Irvin, father Hugh I. Irvin, brother, Hugh I. Irvin Jr. and Infant son Judson Scott Holt. She is survived by her son W. Thad Holt III and wife Sandy, Son Stan Holt and Sheila, Daughter Teri Shaw and husband Peter, daughter Cher Ross, step son Jay Ross Hobock and Lucy. Her pet dog and companion Max. Grandchildren; W. Thad Holt IV, Kalynne Wolford, Judson Holt, Gregg Holt, Peter Holt, Annie Rouse, Jody Marcynysyczn, Summer French, Rossan Duckworth, Quincie Shaw, Slater Shaw, Jennifer Hobock, Natalie Hobock, Angie Avery, Merry Reylas, Corrina Reylas and eight great grandchildren. Most importantly she was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 14 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A Private burial for the family will be held at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Austin, Texas.