Jennifer Sue Jacks Henley

Jennifer Sue Jacks Henley of Cypress, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the age of 64. She was born to the late James E. and Bebe Heard Jacks on November. 11, 1946, in Refugio, Texas. She was a descendant of the Wells and Heard families that pioneered Texas and the territory before and during the Republic. The Heards came to America in the late 1700's from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. They arrived in Texas during the early 1800's and amassed large land holdings from original Spanish land grants. The Heards fought in the Battle of 1812 and later in Texas serving in the Irish Battalion of the Refugio Volunteers during the Civil War. Her great, great grandfather, Captain James B. Wells, served in the Texas Navy and was appointed by General Sam Houston to head the Texas Naval Yard. The two families became one with the marriage of William J. J. Heard and Frances Wells in 1882.

Jennifer is survived by her sisters Judith Jacks Lide and Jane Jacks Henderson and her sister-in-law, Marla Briggle. She also is survived by three children John Allen Henley, Jennifer Elizabeth Fairweather and James Cyrus Henley as well as five grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Fairweather, Allison Ruth Fairweather, Robert Samuel Fairweather, Jonathan Allen Henley, Joseph Siah Henley as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jennifer will be remembered for her keen sense of humor, her love of laughter and music and her devotion to animals, but especially for her adoration and love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James H.W. (Jay) Jacks.

The family wishes to thank her loving caregivers and especially her physician, Dr. Venessa A. Holland for their untiring efforts in her behalf.

Funeral services will be held at Brookside Funeral Home, 9149 Hwy 6 North on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Texas. Viewing for family and friends will be at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice or, because of her love for animals, to organizations that rescue animals or prevent cruelty to animals.