Anne Sewell Thomson

Anne Mebane Sewell Thomson was born in Houston, Texas on the 17th of December 1954, to Ben and Betty Sewell. Her happy childhood was spent with her sisters Virginia, Bonner and Peg, and their close-knit network of friends at their home on Saddlebrook. She attended school at St. Michael’s and Duchesne before traveling west for high school at Santa Catalina in Monterey, California. Following graduation Anne migrated east to Vanderbilt, where she excelled in both academics and fun, accumulating many lifelong friends.

Anne returned home to Houston after graduating Phi Beta Kappa and worked at Rotan Mosle. Within two years she met Joe Thomson, a young man from Mississippi, who persuaded her to marry him on the 24th of May 1980. He remained her devoted husband until the end. Although she grew up in a family of girls, La Señora, as she was affectionately known, became the perfect boys’ mom to Neal, Jim and Rob. She was always there to cheer them on at their numerous sporting events and through the ups and downs of growing up. Near-perfect attendance at school events was interspersed with involvement in the Junior League, Houston Garden Club, Assembly, and other volunteer organizations.

Ever active, Anne was a great tennis player and an avid golfer, although she was never fully pleased with her game, except for the day she made a hole-in-one. She also enjoyed playing bridge, mahjong and pickleball, forming more and more friendships along the way. Other favorite pastimes included girl trips to Montana and California, daily crosswords, and a glass of Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay in the evening.

An incredibly thoughtful gift-giver, host, master calligrapher and admitted perfectionist, Anne was devoted to making things fun and beautiful. Holiday tables were set days or weeks in advance, with themed gift bags and hand-drawn place cards. Every Christmas season Anne announced she was retired from stocking stuffing, and every Christmas Day her lucky 11 received thoroughly and thoughtfully stuffed monogrammed stockings. She just couldn’t help herself!

No one was more selfless or giving than Anne. She worried far more about others than herself and was always anxious to please. Never one to say no when asked for a favor, she gladly took on more than her share. Small but mighty, with a twinkle in her eye and a ready smile, she faced challenges with spunk and good cheer.

Anne collected countless close friends throughout her life, from Houston to Monterey to Nashville. She loved them like family, and they loved her back. But her favorite time was spent with her family, especially enjoying the happy chaos of her five beloved grandchildren. She was immensely proud of her three sons and always sure to let their wives, Grace and Frances, know how happy she was to finally “get her girls.” She never missed a grandchild’s baseball game, ballet recital, school event, birthday party, or a chance to pick up carpool.

Anne is survived by her devoted husband, Joe; sons Neal and wife Grace, Jim and wife Frances, and Rob; grandchildren Leland, Charlie, Nora, Bobby and Annie; sisters Virginia Sewell, Bonner Ball and husband George, and Peg Fuchs and husband Bob; sister-in-law Fancy George and husband Ernie, and brother-in-law Jim Thomson; eight nieces and nephews and twelve great-nieces and nephews. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Betty Sewell, whom she adored.

Anne enjoyed all the time spent with her family and friends, with her sparkling blue eyes and giant smile shining brightly wherever she went. We will miss our lovely and loving, fun and feisty, vivacious and very, very special Anne – Señora Lotus Blossom – Mom – Auntie – Mabs forever!

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Anne from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 24th of September, in the Potomac Room of the Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive in Houston.

A memorial service in honor of Anne will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 25th of September, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056. For those unable to attend the service in person, virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the "Join Livestream" icon below. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family for a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Houston Area Parkinson Society, 2700 Southwest Fwy #300, Houston, TX 77098, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486 Houston, Texas 77210-4486, or St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056.