Mrs. Kittie Jinkins Livesay

Kittie Sue Livesay was born in Galveston, Texas, on the 30th of November 1925 to Dr. J. L. Jinkins, Sr. and Kittie Fae Jinkins. She grew up “on the Island,” graduated from Ball High School and entered college at the University of Texas at the young age of 16 years old.

During her college years, she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. The sorority became a lifelong love, and in 2005, Kittie was named Woman of the Year by the Chi Omega Alumnae of Houston. Throughout her life, some of Kittie’s closest and dearest friends were her pledge sisters from their days in college. For decades, those friends became known as the “Ranch Group” and enjoyed their bi-annual girls- only retreats to the Jinkins Ranch. They even published the Armadillo Cookbook of recipes for meals they shared at the ranch.

Kittie met her lifelong soul mate in William Rugeley “Ruge” Livesay at a dance in Galveston. Kittie and Ruge married when they were very young, almost 67 years ago. Kittie had just graduated from college with honors and Ruge was a senior medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The US Navy and specialty medical training, coupled with raising three sons occupied their early years of marriage. Kittie and Ruge raised their family to reflect and emulate their strong values and faith.

Once these two careers (motherhood and medicine) were launched, Kittie set out to make a difference in her community. She became involved with service agencies committed to finding the resources and programs to aid persons in need. Kittie was a volunteer at the Center for the Retarded (now known as The Center) for 21 years, and served on the Board of Governors for 17 years , and as President of the Volunteer Auxiliary. She also became a member of the Blue Bird Circle and served as Chairman of the Board of the Blue Bird Clinic for Pediatric Neurology.

Then, the Visiting Nurses Association, one of the oldest United Way agencies in Harris County, asked her to join their efforts to provide home health services, such as the first hospice in our community. Kittie served as Chairman of the Board and in other capacities for 18 years. She was twice recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the V.N.A.

The family business intervened when Kittie’s last parent died, and she took over running the family cattle ranch. She resigned all leadership roles in Houston charities and became known as “Miss Kittie,” as she was affectionately called, in Madison and Leon counties. She was active in the East Texas Brangus Breeders Association as well as the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. She was a smart, well-respected, proud cattlewoman.

Amazingly, with all these activities she also found time to paint. As a member of the “Polly Painters” group, Kittie found great peace in using her artistic talent to create beautiful works of art.

With all the accolades and experiences, Kittie’s proudest accomplishment was raising three sons, Bill, Jim and Mark. She was a wonderful parent, whose love and devotion to her children was boundless. Kittie and Ruge raised their sons in a Christian home with strong beliefs in family, community, appreciation for all mankind and the value of hard work.

Devoted wife and mother, dear friend, volunteer, painter and rancher, Kittie was blessed to live a full and rich life. Her life was not without trials, but she persevered through illness with a faith in Christ and a joyful determination to overcome adversity with hope.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and by her daughter-in-law, Karen Davis Livesay.

Kittie is survived by her devoted husband, Dr.William Rugeley Livesay; her sons, William R. Livesay, Jr. and wife, Mary, Dr. James J. Livesay and wife, Robin, and Mark R. Livesay and fiancée, Pamela Lombana. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Carrie Livesay Tollar and husband, David, Kathryn Livesay Bruce and husband, Jay, Michael Livesay, Sarah Livesay, Jenny Livesay Webster and husband, Blake, Grant Livesay and wife, Ellie, Kevin Livesay, Renee Livesay, John Livesay and Holly Livesay; and eight great-grandchildren, William, Georgia and Mary Sterling Webster; Lydia Jane and Thomas Bruce; Braden Tollar, and Claire and Henry Livesay. Her brother, Dr. J. L. Jinkins, Jr. and wife, Ann; brothers-in-law, Col. (Ret.) C. P. Livesay, Jr. and wife, Carolyn, and Stanley R. Livesay and wife, Joyce, along with numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. “Mama Kittie” will be sorely missed by her family, but we know the Lord has welcomed her home, His good and faithful servant.

The family would like to express their eternal gratitude to her home caregivers, Emma Morales, Eli Lanni, Yoli and Yolanda Arris, Hermelindo Cordero, Susana Carbajal, Silvia Albarado, and to the staff of St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Their care and warmth will always be remembered by her family.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 27th of June, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 28th of June, in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive in Houston, where Rev. Dr. Rick Myers, Associate Pastor for Caring, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the narthex.

Prior to Thursday afternoon’s service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, those wishing to honor Kittie’s memory are invited to contribute to The Center, 3550 W. Dallas St., Houston, TX, 77019; the Christus VNA, 601 Sawyer St., Suite 750, Houston, TX, 77007; the Blue Bird Clinic for Pediatric Neurology, 615 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX, 77006; or to the charity of one’s choice.