Yvonne Simar Dewey

She was born on July 18th, 1940 in Eunice, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana to Emile Simar and Amy Fruge Simar.

She grew up on a farm near Jennings Louisiana and graduated from Jennings High School in 1958.

One of her passions was genealogy and she traced her ancestors back to The Duke of Savoy on the border of Italy and France in the 15th century. One of her ancestors, Noel Simard, founded Baie St. Paul, Canada on the St. Lawrence River in 1667 and helped build the St. Anne’s Cathedral 10 miles east of Quebec City.

Yvonne came to Texas in 1971 and worked as a secretary for the Bennett Insurance firm in Lake Jackson. In 1973, she married the then, City Attorney, John Dewey.

She served as secretary in her husband’s private law practice, and she was active in the lives of her children. To her family and children she was “baseball mom”, “orchestra mom”, “band mom”, “soccer mom” and “Grammy” to her grandson Lance.

Yvonne was president of the A.P. Beutel Elementary School PTA in 1985-1986, and volunteered at elementary, Intermediate school and Brazoswood High School in several capacities, including remedial reading tutor. She served on the Board of Directors for the Lake Jackson Soccer Association, Brazoswood Orchestra Association, Lake Jackson Youth Baseball Association, Lake Jackson American Little League and Brazoswood Babe Ruth League. She was active in the Brazoswood High School Baseball Booster Club from 1991-1994.

Yvonne became active in Republican politics beginning in in 1974 and held the position of Precinct chair from 1980-1998, and during that 18 year period she held the position Brazoria County Republican Party Secretary. State representative Jack Harris once said “She is the glue that holds us together”.

She was an early supporter of Ronald Reagan and worked in his presidential campaigns in 1976, 1980 and 1984.

She was a very active member of the Brazosport Republican Women’s Club since 1974, serving on the Board of Directors for much of that time, including three terms as its President. She was associate member of the other Republican Women’s Clubs in the county. Yvonne was always a Republican Headquarters volunteer during fall election periods.

In 1998 Yvonne was elected Brazoria County Republican Chairman, a post she held continuously (except for some months in 2000 and 2001) up until, for reason of health, she resigned her post in 2019. In all, she served 21 years as chairman. She led the County Republican Party during the period it achieved dominance in county politics. Under her leadership, the party held every elective office in the county.

She was able to employ leadership of women and men through expertise. She became an expert on the Texas Election Code. Candidates for office and chairman from other counties relied on her advice and knowledge. She worked closely with the Brazoria County Election Office and served on the County Ballot Board for nearly 15 years.

Yvonne used humor to get her points across. “Sarcasm spoken here” said the sign in her office. “She was a force to be reckoned with” said County Judge Matt Sebesta.

At the same time, she was caring and lovable and rated off the charts in likability.

Yvonne’s most cherished time, however, was with her sons, and for the past 19 years being “Grammy” to her grandson Lance. There was always an egg coloring ritual with Lance each Easter and shopping for legos and large balloons.

Yvonne always remembered birthdays of family and friends and was always performing acts of kindness to others.

Yvonne is survived by her husband, of 50 plus years; John of Lake Jackson, TX, son Douglas Dewey of Round Rock, TX, son Anthony Dewey of Jennings Louisiana; son John Dewey II and wife Lisa Dewey of Lake Jackson TX. Also surviving are her grandson Lance Trenton Dewey of Lake Jackson TX; brother Charles Simar and wife Patty of Austin TX, brother Michael Simar of Jennings Louisiana, brother Mark Simar of Jennings Louisiana, sister Kathleen Simar of St. Louis Missouri, sister Margaret Sonnier of Jennings Louisiana and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Frances Carol Simar, and Polly Simar Bonin.

The Dewey family wishes to thank all nurses and care givers at Oak Village Healthcare for the loving care they provided Yvonne.

Funeral services will be held Saturday September 14th 2024 at 2:00PM at the United Methodist Church located at 404 Azalea St Lake Jackson TX, and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/FirstUMCLakeJackson . Visitation will be from 12:00PM to 1:45PM at the church on Saturday September 14th 2024.

Graveside services will be held at Restwood Cemetery, Heart of Texas section, for family only immediately following funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis Tennessee 38105 or to the 100 Club of Brazoria County, Post Office Box 1596, Lake Jackson TX 77566.

Arrangements by Restwood Funeral Home, Plantation Dr Clute TX (979)297-2121