Nan Pinchback Oxford passed away Monday, August 17, 2009, in Beaumont, Texas.
Mrs. Oxford was born on the tenth of November in 1923, to Seawillow Cunningham Pinchback and Rube Thomas Pinchback. A fifth generation Beaumonter, she was a descendant of Ellen and Parsons Collier, operators of Collier's Ferry on the Neches River. The family home was on the site of the present Beaumont Country Club.
Mrs. Oxford, a graduate of Beaumont High School in 1940, attended Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas and Sam Houston State Teachers College, Huntsville, Texas until her marriage to William Franklin Oxford, junior, known as Dub. They made their home in College Station where Dub continued his studies toward a Master's degree at Texas A & M. Upon graduation, they returned to Beaumont where Mr. Oxford was employed by Sun Oil Company. In 1970, the Oxfords were transferred to Dallas by Sun Oil Company, where they resided for twenty years until their return to Beaumont in 1990.
In Beaumont, Mrs. Oxford was a former organist at Amelia Methodist Church. She and Mr. Oxford were charter members of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she served as President of the Women's Society of Christian Service, President of the Board of Trinity Methodist Day School, chaired the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration and served on the Altar Guild. A longtime member of the Junior League of Beaumont, she was also a board member of the Tyrrell Historical Library.
In Dallas, Mrs. Oxford had a successful real estate career with Briggs-Freeman and Ebby Halliday. Affectionately known as Elaw to her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, she was a loving presence in their lives as well as to her many friends. A consummate game player and highly competitive, she enjoyed her regular Mah-Jongg and bridge games. As the only girl among three brothers, she developed a feisty and spirited personality at an early age. Mrs. Oxford will be remembered for her graciousness, her love of family, and her church.
Mrs. Oxford was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dub; her parents; one sister; and three brothers.
She is survived by her daughters, Judith Oxford Black and her husband James and Jill Justine Fortney and her husband Walter; son, William Franklin Oxford, III and his wife Jan; her grandsons, William Oxford Black and his wife Adria of Alexandria, Virginia, Walter Scott Fortney IV and his wife Courtney, James Robert Black and his wife Lori, Franklin Grant Fortney and his wife Lee, and John Milton Black and his wife Lou, all of Houston; great-grandchildren, Walter Scott Fortney V, Tatum Powers Fortney, Virginia Claire Fortney, James Milton Black II, Tanner James Fortney, Marguerite Justine Fortney, Elizabeth Oxford Black, Lucia Oxford Black, and Lily Collier Black; and nieces and nephews.
Her family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital and Harbor Hospice House. Their tireless efforts are sincerely appreciated. The family also wishes to thank her many caregivers and doctors for their support and selfless time given to her. For those desiring, contributions in Mrs. Oxford's memory may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison, Beaumont, Texas 77702 and the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Bearers of her casket are her grandsons, William Oxford Black, Walter Scott Fortney IV, James Robert Black, Franklin Grant Fortney, John Milton Black, and her nephew Allan Lane Pinchback. Honorary pallbearers are Charles F. Adkins, M.D., Wayne W. Brown, junior, Mark Haney, Sidney Marchand M.D., and Robert Birdwell M.D.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A visitation will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, until the time of service, at the church.
