Shirley Houston Reagor

Shirley Houston Reagor, beloved wife, mother, aunt, friend and neighbor passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, the 31st of March 2024. She was born the 2nd of October 1920 in Franklin, North Carolina to Emlis Green Houston and Emma McCoy Houston. She was 103 years of age.

During World War II, she served her country as a Rosie the Riveter Gal (Timken Roller Bearing Factory Canton-Akron, Ohio) and as a U.S. Coast Guard SPAR. As a U.S. Coast Guard (CG) SPAR, she served along the Florida Atlantic Coast in logistics and supply. She once took inventory of a captured Italian submarine the oral history of which is registered in the New Orleans WII Museum. She earned the WWII Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. She was the fourth member of seven children who served in the war. She was a member of American Legend Post 108 in Franklin,

Following discharge, she worked as a medical secretary/assistant for the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. She also served as a substitute teacher for St. Francis of Xavier Catholic Elementary School in Metairie, La. Later in the late seventies she moved to Houston, Texas with her now deceased second husband who worked in the oil and gas industry.

Shirley was the recipient of the following awards and honors: Military Women’s Memorial Living Legend and West Houston Chamber of Commerce Heart of Service. She was an honoree of: the Mayor Sylvester Turner’s 2023 Women Veterans Day, the USCG Women’s Leadership Initiative SPARS 80th Anniversary Celebration, the USCG Foundation Ball, the Impact the Hero Ball and the West Houston Chamber of Commerce’s the Greatest Generation Salute to Veterans . At the Macon County North Carolina Veterans Memorial Park she was honored by the USCG North Carolina Sector and Franklin American Legion Post 108. A family-provided commemorative brick of her WII contributions lies within the park through AARP’s Make a Wish Foundation.

She also received Certificates of Appreciation and Commendations from: USCG Houston Galveston & North Carolina Sectors, AARP Foundation, New Orleans WII Museum, Association of US Army, Quilts of Valor Foundation, Dept. Of Veteran’s Affairs, Director of Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs and Medical Center and the Harris County Judge. She received Birthday Proclamations from Mayor Sylvester Turner for SPAR Reagor Day and Governor Greg Abbott of the State of Texas.

She was a devoted mother & relative who loved her family, a Faithful Christian who extended compassion, a patriot who defended her country, an active gardener who appreciated nature, a loving pet owner who cared for all creatures and an avid recognized golfer. Shirley was a fierce advocate for education and in her life pursuits, she carved a lighted path of love, courage, and service for others to follow.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, her six sisters; Bertha Crisp, Beulah Houston, Eva Frady, Tina Houston, Leliah Henry, and Mattie McCoy, and seven brothers; William Emlis, Bob, Jay, R.L., Raleigh, Hayes Eugene, Emlis Green Jr., Jesse Houston, her first husband Judson Joseph Dugas her second husband Charles Wayne Reagor, and her nephews William Houston, Dennis Houston, and Ron Houston.

She is survived by her two children, Reverend Scott Jeffery Dugas and Patricia Samsel and her husband James Michael Samsel, and many beloved nephews and nieces.

We salute and honor the USCG Houston-Galveston Sector for their dedicated service to our nation and Region as well as their extension of hospitality into thei community.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to friends and neighbors who over the years opened their hearts and doors in the hand of friendship to Mother : Lois, Kathleen, Hildie and Weldon.

The family would like to recognize SGM (Ret) Cielto Pascual Jackson, Texas Ambassador for the Military Women’s Memorial who championed Mother’s Veteran’s status and coordinated recognition of her and many other Women Veterans in the community.

We are indebted to the Parish Community of St. Cyril in embracing Mother in God’s love and providing spiritual ministerial support : Kathy, Jeff, Marylou, Vince, Margaret, Marylou ( Margaret’s sister) as well as others.

We express our appreciation to Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston in providing holistic support to the Community’s Senior Homebound population.

Friends are cordially invited to greet the family during a visitation at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 23rd of April, at St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church in Houston, where the funeral service is to commence at half-past ten o’clock, with Rev Scott J. Dugas officiating.

Immediately following all are invited to join the family during a reception at a Church venue to be announced during service.

The Rite of Committal is to follow via an escorted cortege, at Houston National Cemetery.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed through St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/stcyrilhouston or by visiting Ms. Reagor’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section. While there you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences for her family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.