Eleanor Nabors Rea

A community leader and longtime philanthropist in the Brazosport area, many organizations honored her for her civic contributions. Her daughters remember her as a gentle, southern lady who always inspired her family to give the best of themselves to everyone. God, family, and service to others were always priorities in the way she lived her life.

She was born in Birmingham, Ala., December 12, 1926, to Mr. and Mrs. Parker A. Glasgow and attended school at Stephens College in Columbus, Mo., and the University of Alabama.

She is survived by four daughters: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Warren and family, Mr. and Mrs. Marc Hoy and family, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Crosby and family and Mr. and Mrs. Russell Maroney and family. She also is survived by her brother, Parker A. Glasgow Jr., and his family.

Eleanor met and married her late husband, Jim Nabors, while they were students at the University of Alabama. They moved to the Brazosport area in 1956, when Jim became publisher of The Facts. They had four daughters, Susan, Martha, Amy and Elizabeth, all of whom were happily married before Jim passed away in 1993.

She worked with and supported the Salvation Army, the Symphony League, the First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson, the Brazosport Center for the Arts and Sciences and the Brazoria County Historical Museum. The museum board chose her to receive its Jane Long Pioneer Spirit Award, presented each year to someone who, in modern times, possesses a pioneering vision and the tenacity, courage and conviction to pursue it. The Southwest SIDS Research Institute also honored her as a Steel Magnolia for her volunteer efforts in helping raise money for research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

She was honored as the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2003. That same year, she and husband Ernie Rea, whom she married in 1999, were honored as Philanthropists of the Year. They worked with the Boys and Girls Club, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Outreach program and the Lake Jackson Historical Association.

Ernie Rea passed away in 2004, but his and Eleanor’s support of the community continued through a scholarship he established at Brazosport College in her name and funded by means of a bequest from his estate. The scholarship helps students in the four-year degree program in applied technology.

Eleanor also was honored to have the clock tower at Brazosport College dedicated in her name.

Funeral Service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. All services have been provided by Restwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazosport College, the First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson or the Salvation Army of Brazoria County.