Jeanne McBirney Gaston

March 18, 2022, just short of her 88th birthday, following an extended illness. Jeanne leaves her son, Robert (Bob) and daughter-in-law, Mary Sue; her daughter, Elise Gaston (formerly Chand); grandchildren Caitlin Gaston Crawford (and her husband, Clint); USMC Captain Alex Gaston;

Dr. Sam Gaston; Daniel Gaston (and his wife, Savanna); and Onyx Chand; as well as

great-grandchildren Cora, Owen, Iris, and Luke Crawford; nephew William (Bill) Hudson (and his wife Debbie) and Bill’s adult children and their families; and niece Sandra Clements Allen Chester and her adult children and their families. Jeanne also leaves a long list of beloved family members and friends.

Born in Brewton, Alabama, in 1934, Jeanne preferred to call Mobile, Alabama, home and considered the Gulf Coast an idyllic place to grow up. Gifted with a keen intelligence, quick wit, and fierce love for her family and dearest friends, Jeanne was a force of nature – making an impression wherever she went. Ready to debate current and historical events, Jeanne loved fine art and décor, good wine and music, and always dressed impeccably, looking her best whether she was attending a grandchild’s sporting event, walking her daughter’s horse pastures, teeing off at her favorite golf club, or enjoying a black-tie event (back in the day).

Jeanne was passionate about real estate and helping people find homes – not just houses. She spent her lengthy career working at Henry S. Miller and then Ebby Halliday and was equally passionate about the remarkable coworkers and repeat clients she counted as friends.

Jeanne married Robert (Bob) Gaston the first time November 1, 1956, and together, they had two children: Bob III and Elise. Bob’s career as a television broadcast journalist took the family to Washington, DC, and to Dallas, Texas, where Bob III and Elise took root and live to this day. Jeanne and Bob divorced, and Jeanne later met and (in 1976) married Edwin McBirney (who passed away in 2006). Jeanne then lived in Virginia and West Virginia for the next 13 years, during which, she not only became an avid golfer, but she also owned, operated, and poured her heart into John Herring Ltd., a lovely boutique clothing store located in Winchester. Upon Ed’s retirement, Jeanne and he returned to Texas – this time, Plano – where they lived until his illness, ultimately leading to his loss in 2006. While living in Plano, Jeanne began attending Bible Study Fellowship, where she developed her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Over the next 10 years, through spending time with their adult children and their grandchildren, Jeanne and Bob very, very… very slowly renewed their friendship and eventually remarried in November 2016 (Bob passed away in May 2017).

Jeanne is pre-deceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Samuel and Mary Clements; her sister, Judy Hudson; her first (and third) husband, Robert Gaston; her second husband, Edwin McBirney; and her beloved great-grandson, Owen Crawford.

A memorial service for Jeanne will be held Friday, March 25, 2022, at Sparkman/Crane, 10501 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218 – light refreshments will be served at 11:30 am and the memorial will begin at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution in Jeanne’s name be made to honor her love of reading and education by donating to the children’s literacy organization “Reading Is Fundamental” at www.rif.org