Eileen (Paxton) Garrett

Trilby ‘Eileen’ Paxton Garrett, peacefully passed from this place we call earth on September 13, 2025, in Beaumont, TX. She was 81. She was born in Fort Worth, TX on April 26, 1944 to Eugene Stratton Paxton and Lorayne Trilby Schnautz Paxton, who both preceded her in death.

Eileen was also preceded in death by her husband, Steve, in 2018. They were married for 36 years and had a blended family of 4 children. She is survived by Stratton Davis, her son, Trilby and Michael Foster, daughter and son-in-law, Elise Morton, McKenzie Morton and Ethan Foster, dearly beloved grandchildren to whom she was known as Nana. Six great-grandchildren also survive her: Jaxon, Justin, Millie, David, Aiden and Finn.

Through marriage to Steve she is survived by Rebecca Hergert, a daughter, Robert and Angie Garrett, a son and daughter-in-law, and dearly beloved grandchildren, Brittany Hergert-Brinkley, Fallon Minichiello (husband Joe), Danielle Garrett and Kiley Garrett. Three great-grandsons survive her from this side of the family. A treasured and much loved sister, Donna Chesser, survives her, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, chosen family and friends.

Eileen grew up in New Braunfels, TX where she lived until the age of 8. In 1952, the family moved to Houston so her dad could join his brother in the fried pie business. Three years later they settled in Beaumont where they opened a branch of Kri-Pax Fried Pies.

Her greatest passion was music. She took piano lessons for 12 years. She also taught them. In 7th grade she joined the band and chose the flute as her instrument. She played that instrument off and on for the rest of her life. After she retired, on at least one occasion, she played her flute during Sunday morning worship at Wesley Methodist.

Eileen graduated South Park High, class of 1962, one of 6 top Honor graduates. She was named to the All State Band, NHS, Académie Française, National Forensic League and received the John Philip Sousa award for band. She was a GreenieDear. She graduated Southwestern, Georgetown, TX in 1966 with a BA in English, minor in French. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. In 1995, returning as a working professional, she graduated Lamar University with an MBA. She was a member of the South East Texas Investment Club for many years, serving as Treasurer a few years.

Eileen and Steve, both lifelong Methodists, met at Trinity United Methodist in 1979 through service in the Clown Ministry and membership in the Choir. They married in February of 1982. They shared a love for musicals and classical music. For 20 years they held season tickets at Hobby Center, in Houston, enjoying the traveling series ‘Broadway on Tour’ with several close friends.

Eileen was a teacher at heart. She only ‘taught’ in the traditional classroom for a year at South Park High (1966-67), a couple of semesters at Lon Morris College (1978) and some substitute teaching in 1979-80. However, she shared wisdom, knowledge and valuable lessons with others throughout her life. She displayed her mastery of the English language with those who crossed her path, sometimes even critiquing their improper use of it! She shared her love of literature with her children and close friends. She had a brilliant mind and could often answer every question on the TV show Jeopardy. To the very end of her life her vocabulary never failed her.

Eileen was a survivor and hero to many. In 2009, she retired at 65 from Entre where she worked for 22 years. She had just been diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, which has no cure and is often a death sentence. Survival is only possible by lung transplant. After extensive testing she was listed with the JC Walter Jr Transplant program at Houston Methodist. Four months later she was successfully transplanted on December 2, 2010 with lungs donated by the family of a 16 year old boy on life support.

She suffered through many illnesses and procedures along the way and was hospitalized more times than most people would tolerate. She never complained. She was grateful for those bonus years. She never suffered any form of rejection either. When a person undergoes a double lung transplant it often takes a team of people to support and help them continue on with life as before.

The family would like to thank Janice Espree, Owana Mitchell and Cassandra Allmond, loving caregivers who helped Miss Eileen enjoy life at home for several additional years. Many friends also helped. Suzanne Ryan, Bettie Nixon, Janet Sewell, Betty Bass, Betty LeBus, Patty Edwardsen and Brian Loftin went the extra mile time and again helping the family.

Eileen was a beautiful person, inside and out, and is greatly loved and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to: JC Walter Jr Transplant Center or the IPF Foundation.

https://givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/GeneralGivingForm

Or to the IPF foundation

https://ipffoundation.org/donate/

The ultimate gift is to become an organ donor.