Born on April 8, 1926 in Merkel, Texas, Jeanette grew up on a cotton farm and from an early age showed her creativity by sewing and painting. She graduated from Merkel High School in 1941 at the age of 15. She played clarinet in the band at school and the piano at the church where her father preached. While studying at the University of North Texas, Jeanette was an intern at Neiman Marcus and later became a buyer, traveling frequently to New York to select garments for the coming season. Her success as a buyer and a women’s clothing designer opened the door of becoming a dress designer at Perez Manufacturing in San Antonio. In 1948 Jeanette married Clinton T. Rowe, an executive at San Antonio Express-News. They were married for 23 years. She married Martin “Bubba” Clayton in 1983 and were married for 21 years.
Jeanette was given the amazing gifts of creativity and art, expressing her ideas in fashion sketches, art, and decorating. She was a woman ahead of her times, who thought outside the box. Because she saw the world as a work of art, she was always able to make something out of nothing. She had fresh innovative ideas with sophisticated style and elegance. She taught her girls the creative side of life and even designed matching dresses for them for every holiday.
She was a devoted wife to her husbands and a godly mother to her five daughters. What was most important to Jeanette was her faith and family. She accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was very young and was a strong believer her whole life. Her daughters have always been thankful that God gave them a mother who taught biblical truths and principles. Jeanette, known by her family as “Mimi”, is survived by her five loving daughters and their families: Jan Brooks, and husband Tim of Coppell; Karen Parker of San Antonio; Donna McIlroy, and husband Kenneth of Richardson; Angie Montana, and husband Ed of San Antonio; and Mindy Rowe of San Antonio; grandchildren, Clint Parker, Jennifer (Brooks) Gamblin, Leslie (McIlroy) Massenburg, Scott Brooks, Megan (McIlroy) Johnson, Katie Parker, Zach Montana, Marques Montana and Danielle (Montana) Salas. She is also survived by a brother, Billy Bob Neff and his wife Pat of Merkel; a sister-in-law, Sarah Smith of San Antonio; 13 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jeanette was preceded in death by two loving husbands, Clinton Rowe and Martin “Bubba” Clayton; her father Ernest Neff, her mother Osee Teaff Neff, and a brother Dale Neff.
The family will be forever grateful to Jeny, Arlene, Aurora, Carla, Karla, Liz, and Martha, her wonderful caregivers over the past 3 years of her life!
Following a private graveside service, a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, 319 E Mulberry Ave, on April 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm.
