Jessamine Lou Birdwell Parris, 77, of Houston, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012. She was born to Jessamine Hale Birdwell and Seth Kilgore Birdwell on April 26, 1935, in Beaumont, where she spent her childhood and graduated in 1953 from Beaumont High School. In 1956, she earned a degree in English from Southwestern University and taught school for several years. Later, Mrs. Parris earned her Master’s degree in library science from The University of Texas at Austin. She spent some thirty years at Exxon Production Research Company in Houston, retiring as manager of information services.
Mrs. Parris was married for forty-one years to Porter Ross Parris of Houston. She had two children, Keith and Barry, with her first husband, Clyde McAuliffe. Her avocations and interests throughout her life were many and varied, and included scuba diving, gardening, tennis, and photography. Most of all, she loved the outdoors and was an avid traveler. She served her community as a member of the board of The Women’s Home of Houston, as a volunteer with dog rescuers Husky Haven Inc., and served her profession, holding various leadership positions with Special Libraries Association. Along with her husband, Ross, they volunteered at their church, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Survivors include her husband, Porter Ross Parris; son, Keith McAuliffe and his wife, Lisa Paikowski, of Houston; son, Barry McAuliffe and his wife, Melissa, of San Diego, California; grandchildren, Kerry and Matthew McAuliffe, and Lauren and Hannah McAuliffe; sisters, Caroline Birdwell Patrick of Tucson, Arizona and Linda Birdwell Bullard and her husband, Marvin, of Beaumont; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Mrs. Parris will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 12, 2012, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue. A gathering of her family and friends will immediately follow at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Women’s Home, 607 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77006; or Husky Haven of Houston, Attn: Cyndi Whitley, 2306 Bell Creek Court, Pearland, Texas 77584; or to a charity of one’s choice.
