Barbara Lane Jefferson

One of the brightest stars to ever shine amongst us now lights fully in Heaven. Barbara Emilie Lane Jefferson passed away peacefully in her home November 27th, 2015. Barbara was born in Chicago to Harry and Helen Waugh Lane. She has a B.A. from the University of Texas where she was active in campus political and sorority life. She was a University of Texas Sweetheart and President of the Austin Cotillion. As an accomplished pianist, she was influenced by her Russian heritage and her father who managed the Chicago Orchestra Hall and her mother who was a piano instructor. She is survived by her husband, Walter, of 58 years, her three children, Randal Jefferson and his wife Elizabeth, Wesley Jefferson, and Julia Jefferson Alexander and her husband Dean, grandchildren William Jefferson, Theodore Jefferson, and Michael Alexander, and her sister Julia Lane Goodwin. In addition to being an outstanding mother and wife, Barbara’s career included such roles as administrative assistant to John White, past chairman, National Democratic Party, Assistant Campaign Manager for Houston Mayor Lewis Cutrer, Chairman of the Hostess Committee for the American Municipal Association, and Administrative Assistant to the President of Blue Ribbon Rice. In addition, Barbara was a talented interior designer and through her work earned the American Society of Interior Designers certification. Barbara took pride through her charitable work in giving back to the community. Maintaining an active role in the Junior League of Houston, she also participated and chaired fund raising events for charities such as Citizens For Animal Protection, Northwood University Annual Fund Raising Gala, The Women's Home and many more. She was also patron to the International Debutante Ball in New York City. As a mother, Barbara took a devoted role in raising each of her three children. She was regularly seen at baseball and ballet events and was famous for her neighborhood Halloween parties. Her love of baseball continued long after raising her children and was regularly demonstrated in her fervent support of the Houston Astros. Barbara spent the last decade of her life struggling with an illness that inhibited her ability to speak and prevented her from being able to communicate with friends and family. Her bright smile, laughter, and positive light that we all felt from her will forever be deeply missed. A visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 2:00pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, followed service celebrating her life at 3:00PM.