Wanda Humphrey Kerbow

Wanda Sue “Ditty” Humphrey Kerbow passed away at home on Friday, the 12th of June 2015, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her five children. Ditty was born in Stamford, Texas, on the 16th of August 1929, the younger of two children of Mary Agnes Turner Humphrey Hodges and David Rowan Humphrey. Ditty graduated from Stamford High School and studied at Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas.

While at Tech, Ditty met the love of her life, Jerry Kerbow, and after a whirlwind romance, they married on Christmas Eve of 1948. Many friendships were formed at Tech and remained strong throughout their lives.

In 1950, Ditty and Jerry moved to Houston where her life’s work was complete devotion to her beloved Jerry and their children. Ditty had many talents. She enjoyed sewing beautiful clothing for her young daughters, oil painting and especially enjoyed the search for fine antiques. Ditty loved spending summer vacations at the beach and for many years, the Kerbows celebrated the Fourth of July by the Comal River in New Braunfels with their closest friends and their families. Later, with the twins off to college, Ditty followed her passion and opened Town Antiques. She traveled to England often, bringing home containers of hand-picked antiques. Her style was impeccable as was her beautiful home. Ditty and Jerry made several trips around the world, and also enjoyed last-minute jaunts to Las Vegas as Ditty’s knack for blackjack became known. After Jerry’s unexpected passing in 2005, Ditty learned to play Mah Jongg, and ever the competitor, she eagerly looked forward to her weekly games with friends. Other highlights included gatherings with the “Sewing Group,” enjoying time in which little sewing occurred, hot topics were discussed and desserts were supreme.

Ditty was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Gerald Talley “Jerry” Kerbow; her sister, Mary Ellen Humphrey Phy; and her step-father, J.D. Hodges. She is survived by her children, David Humphrey Kerbow and his wife Nellie, Lisa Kerbow Hood and her husband Michael, Sally Kerbow Brollier, Jill Kerbow Imhoff and her husband Royce, and Amy Kerbow Sedano and her husband Juan. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jeffrey Craig Kerbow, Kevin Michael Kerbow, Kimberly Anne Kerbow, Clayton Gerald Brollier and his wife Mary Margaret, Matthew Sydnor Brollier, Richard Rowan Hood and his wife Brianne, and Christen Rachel Hood; and great-grandchildren, Emilia Brooke Kerbow and Ben Holden Brollier; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to recognize the loyal devotion of Lorenzo Washington and wishes to thank Ann Belisle, Merle Rostant and Beverly Thomas for the loving care provided to Ditty in her final days.

Friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until half-past seven o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 15th of June, in the parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment is to be conducted at half-past nine o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 20th of June, at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue. The Celebration of Life service will follow at eleven o’clock at West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden, followed by a reception in the Fowler Chapel. Services will be officiated by Dr. Roger Patterson.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to West University Baptist Church, or to the charity of your choice.