Jerry Johnston Andrew

Every day for the last forty years Jerry has started each day only mildly provoked by diminished personal utility but fueled by the love and unflagging devotion of four daughters who have been at her side at every turn. On a daily basis she was surrounded by her champions and protectors always insuring her for inclusion and comfort. Her friends grew in number with each encounter. Her distinctive voice and gentle words showed appreciation for every life she met. Her mobility was dashed by nothing. Her energy was stimulated by those asking her to serve. She was generous in her treasure and so loved the underdog.

Jerry Johnston was born on the 23rd of May 1938, and delivered to Murrell May Johnston and Ralph A Johnston with a warning label attached. As a teen and young adult Murrell and Ralph provided her participation in many of Houston’s historical moments and interaction with countless figures and “characters”. They spent memorable time in the Hill Country where she learned to rope and ride on the Johnston Seco Ranch. She shot a rifle at 9 and was proficient in its utility. She and her brother James Jefferson Johnston never forgot they came from the Gladney Center in Fort Worth. Both grew up in Houston and lived life to the fullest, so loving to cross each other’s path all over Houston. Baby Sister was number one in her brother’s eyes and was proudly protected by Jimmy throughout her life. Jerry attended River Oaks Elementary, St. John’s School and the Hockaday School in Dallas. She attended the University of Texas and pledged Zeta Tau Alpha. At the University she created solid friendships with unbroken communication from the day she left Austin.

She married Richard Andrew in 1958 to produce the real Andrew Sisters: Cheryl, Karen, Allison and Kathleen whom survive her. Their husbands Brad Duff, David Lawrence, Cesar Alvarado and Bill Herd immeasurably loved their Mother-in-Law. And, she treated each with respect in consideration of the office they held as guardian of her daughters and Father to her Grandchildren. She is survived by her seven grandchildren, Bradley Duff, Jerry Duff, Gretchen Duff, Austin Lawrence, Sidney Lawrence, Ashley Herd and Allison Herd.

For untold years she has been loyally served by Virginia Ayala and Marta Pantoja. She has carried their service and devotion close to her heart for all of 30 years. Her family will always be grateful for the spirit and value of their service and genuine love for their Mother.

Jerry’s service to Houston started at a very young age in the Houston Coliseum at the Houston Fat Stock Show in the late 1940s as one of the event timers. Her love for the Show evolved ever since Roy Rogers and Dale Evans came by the house after their performance since her Father Ralph Johnston was a gigantic part of the early days of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She was a Life Member serving as Committee Chairman, Vice President and Lifetime Vice President rarely missing a “Rojo” meeting or party.

JJ also tirelessly served as a member of the Board of Directors on each of TIRR, TIRR Foundation, The Center Serving Persons With Mental Retardation and The 100 Club of Houston and was rarely counted as absent to their regular meetings and events. On Sundays she was most often seen on the third row Gospel side at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. She cherished her Church because it gave her the vitality she grasped each morning in preparation of her day. She spent as much time “visitating” afterwards with her church friends as the service itself.

JJ had a real soft spot for flowers whether in her yard at home or in New Braunfels. Until recently she sent herself flowers every week. She was blessed to have those certain friends who kept her yard in bloom year round.

As all of us know and surely witnessed that she never complained because she believed there was goodness in everyone and every situation. We are diminished by that because we didn’t see life through her eyes.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 29th of December 2014 in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Memorial Service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 30th of December 2014 at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, with the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow, Senior Associate Rector and the Rev. Dr. Clay Lein, Rector officiating.

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

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the board members of The 100 Club and the Lifetime Vice-Presidents of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in memory of JJ may be directed to TIRR Foundation, 4605 Post Oak Place, Suite 222, Houston, TX, 77027; The Center Foundation, 3550 West Dallas Street, Houston, TX, 77019; or the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, P.O. Box 20070, Houston, TX, 77225.