Molly Milligan Lottridge

Molly Jane Milligan Lottridge, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on May 10, 2026—appropriately, on Mother’s Day. After years of enduring a quiet and difficult yet graceful battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, she is now fully restored and at peace in heaven.

Molly was born on February 28, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jessie Boyd and Dickson Wessler Milligan. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Fort Worth, then on to Oklahoma City, before settling in St. Louis, where she graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1964. She went on to earn a degree in Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and formed lifelong friendships. After graduation, Molly taught school in Dallas, serving both classroom and homebound students.

In 1970, Molly moved to Houston with her first husband, Stan Jones, where she spent the next 33 years of her life and raised their three children. A new chapter began in 1997 when she married Douglas Lottridge. The couple moved to Bellville, Texas, in 2003, where Molly quickly became a beloved and active member of the community. She served as President of the Bluebonnet Society and, for nearly 20 years, offered her warmth, kindness, and commitment to service to her new hometown before she and Douglas returned to Houston in 2021.

Molly devoted herself completely to motherhood. Raising her children became the central purpose of her life, and she embraced it with an unwavering commitment. She offered constant love and encouragement, instilled strong Christian values, and worked tirelessly to keep her family moving forward. She never missed an event, performance, or game—no matter how small the role one of her children might play.

Grounded by her deep Christian faith, Molly embodied her beliefs through her unimaginable kindness, compassion, selflessness, and a life of service to others. Her faith found expression through a lifetime of worship and fellowship, first at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston and later at Bellville United Methodist Church.

Molly was a beautiful and gentle soul with a subtle, witty sense of humor. She loved to laugh and when she did it was infectious. In the right moment, with people she loved around her, she would bring the room to life. Her grandchildren adored her and knew her as “Golly,” her self-proclaimed nickname that she couldn’t wait to put to good use once the first grandchild arrived. They cherished making “Golly cookies”, playing in “Golly’s Grocery”, and spending time wrapped in her joy and love. She aspired to be the very best grandmother, a model she perfected as a mother, but the time with her grandchildren was cut cruelly short by her disease.

Molly treasured her friendships in her Sewing Club, delighted in hunting for antiques and collectibles, and relished traveling with family and friends. Molly gave generously of her time and talents through the River Oaks Garden Club, the Junior League, and The Kinkaid School, where she volunteered countless hours and proudly served as Chair of the Kinkaid Book Fair a time or two.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dickson Wessler Milligan and Jessie Boyd Milligan. She is survived by her devoted husband, Douglas Lottridge; her children Stanley Jones, Jr. and wife Lauren, Lindsey Roberson and husband Phillip, Jessica Meyer and husband Peter; her stepsons Greg Lottridge and wife Beth and Tim Lottridge; her treasured grandchildren Eloise and Georgia Jones, Riley, Jack, and Molly Roberson, Peter and Emma Meyer; her step-grandchildren Mary Elizabeth Chockran and husband Nick and Christopher Lottridge; her brother Jim Milligan and wife Jane; first husband Stan Jones; and many nieces and nephews.

Molly will be remembered for her warmth, laughter, and the love she shared freely with everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. Her life was a reflection of her grace, generosity, and joyful devotion to others. In her later years, that same compassion and kindness was returned to her, and we are grateful to the staff at The Tradition on Woodway for years of thoughtful and dignified care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Neurology Research Fund at UT Health in Molly’s honor at https://give.uth.edu/campaigns/66690/donations/new

A memorial service will be conducted at eleven a.m. on Monday, May 18th, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston. Immediately following the service, all are invited to a reception in Fellowship Hall.

For those unable to attend the service in person, there will be a livestream available at https://memorials.stlukesmethodist.org/molly-lottridge/