The day was November 2, 1937. Jim and Jane Commerford gave birth to the second of their six children, Jacqueline Jane Commerford (Jackie), in Newton, Kansas. Of course you’ve all heard of Newton, Kansas. It’s famous for,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, mmmmmm. Uuuuh, we’ll get back to that.

Jackie Commerford, her four brothers and one sister were reared by their parents on a farm near Tampa, Kansas. Jackie and her siblings, Jim, Jolene, Jerry Pat, Jason and Jeff worked on their farm while they attended school. Jackie was a great kid from early on as were her siblings. An intelligent family, they were successful in the farming industry during the days when someone could be successful in the United States as an individual farmer. They grew wheat, corn, maze and raised cattle as part of their industry.

After Jackie completed high school, she attended Kansas State University in Manhatten, Kansas, where she earned her four-year degree in accounting.

After college, Jackie met her soon-to-be husband, Irl Unruh, in Wichita, Kansas, where Jackie worked as an accountant for Kansas Claim Service. Jackie and Irl lived in Wichita where the first of their three children, Montgomery Joe (Monty), was born.

From Wichita, Kansas, Jackie, Irl and Montgomery moved to Kansas, City, Kansas, where their second child, Tanya Rene, was born. After Kansas City, they lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, before they moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where their third child, Tammy Lee, was born. (yes, Tammy’s true name is Tammy Lee and, no, she is not a country and western performing artist.) The family eventually moved to Beaumont, Texas, where Jackie and Irl established home and built their lives and family.

During their first several years in Beaumont, each Sunday, the Unruhs would load up, all five of them, in their little 1965, burgundy Chevrolet, short-bed truck and drive to Silsbee, Texas, where they celebrated Sunday brunch with Irl’s parents, his siblings and nieces and nephews. Jackie and her family were finally home in the beautiful piney woods in southeast Texas, living in the cozy cul-de-sac on Stratton Circle where they lived for 35 plus years.

In Beaumont, Jackie and her family grew to make friends with others who they still, to this day, call close friends. Jackie was happy of where she came from, her present moment, where she was headed and those with whom she crossed paths along her journey.

In the years to come, Jackie reared her children while she worked full-time at an accounting firm, Junker, McMillan and Bennett. Later she earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. She raised her children with love, care, and a firm disposition instilling inner strength in them to succeed as they moved on with their own lives. In other words, she did her job, and more, as a loving caring mother, teacher, friend and grandmother.

Jackie was a model of consistency, stability and positive work ethic while she worked for the same accounting firm in Beaumont for over 30 years. Her core values were appreciated by many coworkers and friends. In some ways, you could describe Jackie similar to a third base umpire; you didn’t hear from her much; usually fairly quiet, but every now and then she made a great call. Jackie had a beautiful work ethic and immeasurable inner strength as a mother and wife, and it was her faith which gave her strength and centering.

Truly, Jackie was a beautiful, kind, caring soul. She always supported her children’s endeavors, whether it were athletics, the arts or college. She steadfastly encouraged her kids to do whatever they wanted and always attended their events and activities. With Jackie, her children felt as they came first.

After her children left home, Jackie and Irl happily entered their pre-golden years. Jackie retired from her professional career having faithfully served her accounting firm and trusting clients in Beaumont. In September of 2009, Jackie and Irl moved to the hill country in Marble Falls, Texas, where they retired and established their new lives and foundation. In Marble Falls they quickly created a strong sense of community with friends and loved ones and found a new church they immediately called home. Possibly unbeknownst to some, Jackie’s faith was important to her. In Marble Falls Jackie and Irl quickly turned a house into a home thought one would have thought they had lived there for years.

In January 2012, Jackie was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer which she had successfully beaten by June 2012. Irl was a beautiful and caring aid to Jackie the entire time as they worked as a team traveling back and forth to Houston, Texas, for chemotherapy for six months. Jackie defeated lymphoma until this past October when it returned, this time with a little more vengeance.

For anyone who knew Jackie, the first thing that would come to mind when people thought of her would not only be her mild manner, fun, caring, sometimes quiet disposition and great sense of humor, but would be her strength. She was a great listener and the glue for her family. She was the essence of strength, a true pillar.

Jackie was this writer’s mother and she will be sorely and greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Irl Unruh; children, Monty Unruh of Austin and Tammy Unruh Tinkle and her husband, Jeff, of Rockwall; grandchildren, Hayden Tinkle and William Tinkle; brothers, Jim Commerford of Witchita, Kansas; Jerry Pat Commerford and his wife, Catherine, of Emporia, Kansas; Jason Commerford and his wife, Chris; and Jeff Commerford and his wife, Rae Jean, all of Americus, Kansas; and sister, Jolene Agnes Ingle and her husband, John, of Witchita, Kansas.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tanya Rene Unruh.

A gathering of Mrs. Unruh’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 28, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.