Mary Reade “Missy” Forehand Pardoe passed away peacefully on Tuesday, the 2nd of July 2013, following a valiant battle with breast cancer that took her life rather abruptly. Missy was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the 1st of September 1942. She was the second of three daughters of the late Brooks Forehand, former head of the English department at the University of Alabama, and Margaret Beery Forehand Privett.
Missy is survived by her two loving daughters, Jennifer Pardoe Gilliam and Marlee Pardoe Sikes, and their devoted husbands Lance Gilliam and Mark Sikes, all of Houston. She is also survived by her mother, Margaret Forehand Privett; her sisters, Lee Forehand Buchanan and husband Ron of Jackson, Mississippi, and Beppy Forehand Deaton and husband Al of Houston. Her legacy will continue through her three cherished grandchildren, Bennett Sikes, Emma Gilliam and Mallory Sikes. These three children were the light of her life; the unconditional love, strength of character and the importance of laughter she showed each will forever be a part of them.
Missy was an honors graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Radio and Television. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Rho and Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and graciously served as the Alabama Maid of Cotton in 1962. Following graduation, she moved to Houston and began a career in journalism at The Houston Post. In 1965 she married her former spouse Al Pardoe and continued to reside in Houston where they raised their two daughters.
Her accomplished career in fundraising and philanthropy began during her daughters’ time at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. Missy was part of a small, dedicated team that created the school’s “Extravaganza” gala, a groundbreaking event that remains the school’s top fundraising effort and a model emulated by private schools to this day. Of great pride to Missy was her service on the board of The Association for Community Broadcasting. As chair of the organization’s board, Missy was able to support learning for Houstonians and their children through Houston PBS and Houston Public Radio.
Missy never boasted her academic and professional achievements. She maintained a high regard for the value of education, had an unwavering devotion to her faith and the Lord, and was tireless and generous with her time towards the improvement of her neighborhood. Missy’s eyes always twinkled. She met new friends and greeted old with her brilliant smile and contagious laughter. Those who knew her were always touched by her boundless devotion to friends and family.
A Memorial Mass is to be offered at three o'clock this afternoon, Friday, the 5th of July, at St. Theresa Catholic Church Memorial Park, 6622 Haskell Street in Houston, where the Fr. Phil Lloyd, is to celebrate.
In lieu of customary remembrances, Missy’s family requests that donations be directed to the Professor Brooks Forehand and Margaret Forehand Privett Endowed English Scholarship at the University of Alabama in the College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Advancement Services, Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487 (onlinegiving.ua.edu); or to the charity of one’s choice.
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