Shirley Rosson

Shirley Anne Brooks Rosson was called home by our Lord and Savior on April 13, 2011 at the age of 79. She was reared a Presbyterian, and became a Methodist at the time of her marriage so that her family would be united in worship. Shirley was a member of the Alice Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for over fifty years. She also took great pride in being a native Texan.

Shirley was born to Byron and Adeline Brooks on December 26, 1931 in Galveston, Texas. She grew up in Morgan City, LA, where she graduated from Morgan City High School in 1948. She attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now known as University of Louisiana, Lafayette), graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.

On June 20, 1953 she married the love of her life, Herbert M. Rosson in Morgan City, LA and they would have celebrated their 58th anniversary this year. Shirley taught 3rd grade in Morgan City until she and Herb started their own family in 1955 with the birth of their daughter, Adrienne. Adrienne was soon followed by Herb Jr. in 1957 and the birth of twins, John and Byron, in 1959 completed the family.

Herb’s career as a Master for Mobil Oil Corporation took the family all over the Southern United States until they finally returned to Shirley’s beloved Texas, and settled in the Houston area in 1965. Shirley served as chief cook, bottle washer, and taxi driver for her four active teenagers, enthusiastically supporting them in all of their many endeavors. If anything could surpass the great love Shirley had for her children it was the absolute love and devotion she felt for her grandchildren and great granddaughter.

During her teenage years, Shirley was an avid horsewoman and competed in many shows throughout Louisiana and Texas. Shirley was a natural equestrienne and was most comfortable in her jeans and boots riding her favorite horse Di. Shirley enjoyed photography, sewing and knitting, baking, and gardening. Throughout her life, Shirley was a teacher, generously sharing her gifts and talents with family and friends. Shirley and Herb enjoyed traveling cross country together and made a trip of a lifetime in 1988 driving from Houston to Anchorage, Alaska and then flying on to Barrow to visit their son Herb Jr.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Adeline; her sisters Adeline Davis and Betty Garber; and brothers Louis, Byron Jr., and Adolph Brooks.

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband, Herbert Rosson; daughter and son-in-law Adrienne and James Frieda of Bryan; son Herbert Rosson Jr. of Friendswood and his special friend, Wendy Wittman of Pearland; son and daughter-in-law John and Meridith Rosson of Kingwood; and son and daughter-in-law Byron and Alexandra Rosson of Clear Lake City. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Cooper of Houston, TX and grandchildren Courtney and Brooks Rosson; Christopher Frieda; and Caroline and Webb Rosson; great grandchild Rylee Anne Rosson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Forest Park East Cemetery in League City, TX on Monday, April 18, 2011: visitation at 12:30p.m., funeral service at 2:30p.m. with burial immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association; the American Diabetes Association or your charity of choice.