Johnowene Brackenridge Menger

Praise God for our mother, Johnowene Brackenridge Crutcher Menger, who went home to be with her Lord on July 29, 2002 after suffering a massive stroke July 17, 2002 at her summer home in Rockport Texas. Johnowene Brackenridge Crutcher Menger was born June 14, 1912 in Mineral Wells, Texas to Dr. John Wesley Crutcher, DDS and Owene Brackenridge Peeler Crutcher. She was the granddaughter of Col. Anderson James Peeler and Roberta Owen Brackenridge Peeler. She was the great granddaughter of Judge James Madison Brackenridge and Martha Wells Owen Brackenridge of Austin, Texas. She was Great Niece of Col. George Washington Brackenridge and Great Niece of Mary Eleanor Brackenridge, who was the founder of The San Antonio Woman's Club. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1931, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and won many swimming medals for her sorority while at Texas. Johnowene earned her Masters Degree from Trinity University in Education in 1960. She made her debut in San Antonio, was presented by the Order of the Alamo on April 19, 1934 in the coronation "The Court of the Midnight Sun". She did untiring work for her country. During World War II she was Head of Grey Ladies at Brooke Army Hospital, Ft. Sam Houston. She was an active member of the Green Hand Garden Club, serving as President 1947-1948, a member of the San Antonio Country Club, The Battle of Flowers Association and many historical organizations: Descendants of Old 300 Hundred, her Ancestor, Dr. Francis Flournoy Wells was first medical doctor in Texas, also a personal friend and physician of Stephen F. Austin. She was a member of the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas; United Daughters 1812-State President 1982-1984; Magna Charta Dames; Texas Branch The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia - State President 1979 - 1981; Albert Sidney Johnston U.D.C.; San Antonio Jamestowne Society - past Governor; Society of the Descendants of Colonial Clergy; Rose Window of San Jose Chapter; National Society of the Daughters of the American Colonist - serving as President 1991 - 1993; Alamo Mission Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Alamo Chapter Daughters of American Revolution; Americans of Royal Descent; Most Noble Order of the Garter; The Friends of St. George's and The Descendants of the Knights of the Garter; and First Families of Texas. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Hubert Emil Menger "Ham". Johnowene will be remembered for her devotion and faithfulness to her daughters and family: Owene Brackenridge Menger Caruth; son-in-law, William W. Caruth III; granddaughter, Adele Leigh Caruth; daughter and son-in-law, Roberta Adele Brackenridge Menger Byrd and husband, D. Harold Byrd, Jr.; grandson, D. Harold Byrd III and wife, Diane Welch Byrd; two adorable great grandchildren, David Harold Byrd IV and Tiffany Diane Byrd; nieces: Jean Louise Menger Preis and husband, Col. Reagan Preis; Doris Menger Alderman; and Russi Menger Crain and husband, John Crain; nephews, Carl Menger of Houston and Erich Menger of Corpus Christi; godson, Mike Benedum.