Jeanne Davis McEachern

She was born on the 9th of January 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, moving six months later to Cincinnati due to her father’s role in the hotel business. Her father served as General Manager of hotels, giving Jeanne and her twin brother, Jack, the unique experience of growing up in The Gibson Hotel in Cincinnati until they were twelve, and then moving to Dallas and living in The Adolphus Hotel. There Jeanne enjoyed meeting visiting performers and notable guests, skating at the ice rink in the Century Room, and dining in the French Room.

Jeanne graduated from Highland Park High School and from The University of Texas, where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Jeanne is best remembered for her kindness, gracious spirit, and genuine concern for others. She was also known for her beauty and radiant smile, and was honored as Queen of the Annual Highlander Music Festival when she was eighteen, and was a finalist for the University of Texas “Top 10 Most Beautiful.”

After graduating, Jeanne moved to Houston where she met the love of her life, Thomas Elmore McEachern, Jr. “Tommy.” They married in 1962 and enjoyed summers in Estes Park, Colorado in their early years. Jeanne’s favorite tradition was spending every Mother’s Day weekend and Labor Day weekend at Lake Breeze Ski Lodge in McQueeney, Texas with dear friends and families. Those weekends were filled with laughter and spirited games of Liar’s Dice.

A longtime member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, Jeanne volunteered faithfully and lovingly needlepointed one of the altar kneelers used during Holy Communion. She remained deeply involved with Pi Beta Phi throughout her life and served as past President of the Houston Alumnae Club. She served on the Board of Holly Hall Christian Retirement Community and was a former member of River Oaks Country Club. Jeanne also worked at the Houston Invitation Service, where she delighted in matching dates for debutante parties and assisting brides with their wedding invitations.

Above all, Jeanne’s favorite role was being a mother to her only child, Kathleen. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than her grandchildren, Lauren and Jack, of whom she was immensely proud.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Elmore McEachern, Jr.; her parents, Randall Leland and Evelyn Cooper Davis; and her twin brother, Jack Randall Davis.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen McEachern Panus and her husband Kevin Michael Panus; her grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Panus, and John Randall Panus “Jack” all of Houston; her sister-in-law, Sarah Davis of Fairview; and her nieces and nephews, Robin Going (Scott), Allison Evans (Kirk), Clay Rivers (Giuliana), Carolyn Dansby (Ron), and Tom Rivers (Kim), and their families.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers and staff of Morningstar Senior Living and Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 13th of January at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Doug Richnow is to officiate.

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

The family will gather at a later time for a private inurnment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed in her name to the Church of St. John the Divine by selecting the link under "Donations" below, https://sjd.org/give or the charity of one’s choice.

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