Nitis Mae English

It’s a love story that spanned generations and touched a multitude of lives. It’s a love story that Nitis English celebrated daily - one that brought a smile to her face and a sparkle to her eye. It’s a love story that brings us all here today.

Nitis Mae (Gibson) English was born on February 21, 1924 in Victoria, Illinois – a rural town in the heart of the Midwest. She was the oldest girl of four kids and rode herd on her younger siblings as they waited in the trees for their daddy to come home from his mail route. The family moved to Houston in 1937 in a house across the street from the most debonair young man she had ever laid eyes upon – William Southern (Bill) English. It was love at first sight. He walked her to Reagan High School – the football star and the drill team diva – and even got her to skip school to see “Gone with the Wind.”

On January 16, 1942 at the tender age of 17, Nitis married Bill. They pledged their love in front of friends and family in matching suits. The US Navy called not long after and for six years, she kept the home fires burning, crisscrossing the country on trains to visit him when she could. The war didn’t diminish their devotion to each other. A book of love letters from Bill to Nitis tells a beautiful tale of days and months apart, but hearts still longing for each other until they could be together again:

“Sugar, I had one good stroke of luck when I found you and here’s hoping I’ll have another and be able to come back soon to be with you always.”

“PS I love you my Sweet.”

The love of the two grew quickly upon his return. They built a house on Kuhlman Road and started a family, adding a new room with each new baby. Sandra Kay, Darryl, Ken, Jana, and Kyle were a unique blend of the love birds and provided years of laughter and joy…and maybe a few frustrating moments. Her devotion never ended and her “mom moments” made a lasting impression.

“When she saw you hurting she did her best to take the pain away. The safest place in the world was with Mom…whether you were 4 or 50.”

“Her wisdom on marriage…Never go to bed angry.”

“Once she put out the “You Are Special” plate for me just because I got a raise that day. Mom recognized any accomplishment no matter how big or small. She loved being able to share in all the special moments and made sure she tailored the celebration to each individual.”

“She always encouraged me…Eat your carrots! They are good for your eyes and one day you’ll be a pilot.”

“Mom cared about everyone – family, friends, and strangers. She was a source of comfort for everyone. I remember my first broken heart – Mom was there, took me in, and helped me through that tough time. She was there for every single one of us during tough times.”

Theirs was a marriage made in Heaven – the kind God intended, the kind that everyone dreams of and few achieve. It lasted nearly 49 years and was full of endearing love and total devotion. Bill placed Nitis high on a pedestal, spoiling her at every opportunity, and his reward was her ever deepening love in return. They were soul mates meant only for each other.

Two grew into seven, and the love they had for each other spread across generations as their home became the hub for family gatherings. Parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, in-laws (and outlaws) and cousins all came together to celebrate each other and holidays for many years. They would crowd in the tiniest of rooms - the kitchen around the kitchen table - and retell story after story for hours on end. Food, laughter and love – they all stemmed from Nitis and Bill and their love for their family.

With five kids in tow, she was the never ending chauffeur to scouts, sports, music lessons, shopping trips, doctor visits and more. However, family wasn’t her only focus. Friends and community were also close to her heart. Her weeks were filled with: the Pine Needle Garden Club; Spring Branch Memorial Hospital Volunteers; the bowling league at Spring Branch Lanes; the Women’s Society; playing 42; substitute little league baseball and girls softball coach; and room mother for many, many years. It was their love and faith in God that led them to the creation of Chapelwood Church where she devoted much of her time and energy. What a vision and insight! She could pack a car in less than an hour and be ready to roll on a moment’s notice to “The Farm” in Brenham. The front yard was the neighborhood playground where kids would come from all around to play football and baseball. She even hosted hundreds for a “snow storm” on Christmas Eve in 1977.

She was called “Sugar,” “Mom,” “Nana,” and “Mrs. English.” She was a goddess in the kitchen – the Julia Child of her household. Whether preparing a meal fit for 2 or 20, she did it seemingly without effort. Her sweetheart, Bill, would brag to all that given a salt and pepper shaker and a tray of ice cubes she could prepare a four course meal fit for a king in 20 minutes! While most people reheat leftovers in their microwave, she would not. She created another meal with simple leftovers, never wasting a morsel and making it taste like she had just whipped it from scratch. She became known for her tasty treats and always had room at her kitchen table, provided you didn’t mind watching Days of our Lives or Wheel of Fortune.

Her azaleas were legendary, her gardenias the most fragrant. She could solve any crossword puzzle in record time. She gave the best hugs, had the sweetest tea, and made the best Nana banana bread. In the early days, she armed herself with a rifle to protect herself from snakes while hanging the laundry. She wasn’t above crawling on the roof to lend a helping hand. She traveled the world, and when the Love of her Life departed early, she always looked for him in the everyday normal…the moon, the sunshine through the leaves, the rain, or the breeze…and she always found him. “There’s Dad looking out for me.”

Nitis English was reunited with her one and only Love on October 22, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Franklin and Clara Althea Gibson, her brother Earl LaRue Gibson and sisters Ola Minalie Logue and Joyce Neree Davis. She is survived by her children: Sandra English, Darryl and Donna English, Ken and MaryAnn English, Jana and Bill Henry, and Kyle English; her grandchildren: Tempi McLeod, Kim and Jesse Welsh, Melissa English, Will and Morgan English, Casey Henry, and Cameron Henry; and her great-grandchildren: Madeline, Brendan, and Annabel McLeod, Elena and Liam Welsh, and Jessica, Cierra, and Gabe English; nieces, nephews, and family in Illinois, including special cousins Ralph and Louise Mackie.

She will be missed, but her friends and family know that she is exactly where she wants to be, once again in the arms of her Bill with him declaring, “Sugar, I’ve missed you. Welcome home.”