Louise Ewing Erwin, of Houston, passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 11th of September 2021. She was born on the 2nd of April 1923, in Harlingen, Texas and was the daughter of the late S. Finley Ewing, Sr., and Ada McLendon Ewing.
Louise spent most of her childhood years in The Valley until the family moved to San Antonio where she attended Thomas Jefferson High School, and was a proud member of “The Lassos” Spirit Club. After high school, Louise graduated from the University of Texas where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
While in San Antonio visiting her parents, Louise went on a blind date with Bill Erwin, a US Army Air Corps Bomber pilot, who was deployed the following day to fight in the North Africa Campaign in World War II. Bill was so smitten with Louise that he named his B-26 Marauder aircraft “The Lovely Louise” in her honor. As soon as Bill returned stateside, they became engaged and were happily married on the 4th of March 1944, in San Antonio. In 1952, Louise and Bill moved to Houston when Bill took a job as an attorney with Gulf Oil Corporation. Louise and Bill enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage until Bill passed away in 2008.
Louise was actively involved in numerous Houston civic organizations. She particularly enjoyed serving as President of the Bar Auxiliary, President of the Women’s Association at Houston Country Club, and President of Tanglewood Garden Club. In addition to those leadership roles, she was a lifetime board member of Sheltering Arms, a member of the Junior League of Houston, a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, a Sunday school teacher, and a proud team mother for her three sons at the Post Oak American Little League for nine years. Louise valued helping others and did so through her many community volunteer positions, as well as through her residential real estate career.
She was a devoted wife and mother and had a gift for making friends. Louise dedicated her life to the betterment of her community, spending time with friends, and caring for her family. She will be warmly remembered for her grace, loyalty, and loving dedication to all those around her.
Louise is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Franklin Erwin, Jr. (Bill), her brother, S. Finley Ewing, Jr., her son, William George Erwin (Billy), and her grandsons, William Shields Erwin and Reid Thompson Erwin.
Louise is survived by her sister, Carolee Ewing Youngblood, her sister-in-law, Gail Orand Ewing, her son, James Finley Erwin (Jimmy) and his wife, Pam, her son, Dr. David Randolph Erwin (Randy) and his wife, Janet, her daughter-in-law, Carol Fitch Erwin, her five grandchildren Julia Louise Erwin (Julie), Allison Erwin Meyers and her husband, Jon, William Finley Erwin (Fin), Brittany Erwin Lawnin and her husband, Reynolds, Robert Finley Erwin (Robb), and her step-grandson Eric Blue and his wife, Karen.
Additionally, Louise is missed and loved by 4 great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Houston.
The family is eternally grateful for the nurturing dedication of those who helped care for Louise throughout her later years and gives special appreciation to Irene Evans and Clementina Cadallero.
A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 17th of September, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be directed to the Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation, 609 Main Street, Suite 2350, Houston, TX 77002.
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