Fred Grace Nowlin

Fred Grace Nowlin, former National Association of Railway Business Women President and Woman of The Year, went to be with her Lord Saturday, June 4th. She was 95 and lived in Houston. Fred Grace Brown was born March 11, 1921 to Gertrude Willard Brown and Hampton Albert Brown in Alco, Louisiana. She was raised in a close, loving family, surrounded by three younger brothers: Willard Reed, Hampton Albert and Howard Harold Brown.

In 1939, she married the love of her life, Lee W. Nowlin, in Houston. He preceded her in death in 1975. She is survived by three children, Jorine Seale, Bill Nowlin, and Lynette Christenson; daughter in-law, Debbie Nowlin; and son-in-law, Joe Burrell. Her seven grandchildren and their spouses include; Russell and Georgia Monk, Dale and Terri Monk, Vallessa Monk and Lars Haga, Shane and Amy Christenson, Rachelle and Gene Blunt, Amanda Nowlin-O'Banion and Robert O'Banion, and Ree and Daniel Belhumeur. Eleven great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends will also miss her.

In 1955, Grace went to work for Houston Belt and Terminal Railroad in Union Station. After 31 years of service, she retired in 1986, though she stayed active in the National Association of Railroad Business Women. Along with Union Pacific officers, she created a program that led to railroad safety stickers in every school bus in Texas.

Grace believed she was blessed. She wrote, "I have 3 wonderful children, a daughter-in-law I count as another daughter, and a son-in-law who is truly a prince in shining armor. I'm blessed with seven smart, talented grandchildren, all of whom have a college education, and their spouses are as dear to me as my own children. I have 10 beautiful great grandchildren. How can it get better than that?"

Services at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home, 1200 W. 34th street. 713-869-6261. Visitation, Wednesday, June 8th from 5-8:00 PM. Funeral, Thursday, June 9th at 10:00 AM. Graveside, Woodlawn Cemetery, 1100 Antoine, Houston.