Obituary of Hazel Joan Houston

Services for Hazel Joan Waggoner Houston, 78, Lake Jackson, formerly of Rusk County, are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 18, at the Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home chapel, Overton with the Reverend Ernest Higginbotham officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, near Henderson. She went to be with the Lord Saturday, October 15, 2011. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born to the lage Devan Jewel Waggoner and Ollie Leona Gordon Waggoner July 9, 1933 in Henderson. Mrs. Houston was a 1951 graduate of Gaston High School and also graduated from the University of Houston. She went on to graduate from UTMB Nursing School in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. As a working mother, she raised four daughters, Tish, Jennifer and Stephanie. She was always involved in Girl Scouts, PTO, Rainbow Girls, and dance and piano lessons. She was the Head Nurse for the Emergency Room at The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston and moved to the Medical floor as Director of Nursing. She then served as Director of Nursing for Brazosport Community Hospital. Mrs. Houston moved to Austin and was the Vice President of Nursing programs for the Texas Hospital Association for over ten years. Then she was Director of Nursing for Laird Memorial Hospital, Kilgore to be close to her Mother. She then returned to a nursing position at UTMB, Galveston, where she retired after an illustrious medical career. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John Houston and two daughters, Melanie Houston and Stephanie Houston/Hicks and many other family and friends. She is survived by two daughters, Tish Spillers and Johnny Key, Damon and Jennifer LaBeth and husband, Clayton LaBeth, Brazoria; two sisters, Josie Cunningham and Toni Godwin both of Henderson; a brother Gordon Waggoner, Henderson; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous relatives; many friends; and a special neighbor and friend, Ethel Gresham. Mom has now joined Our Dad, John Houston, in Heaven to watch over us as we continue our journey here on Earth.  One day our chain will link again. Mom although you have left this Earth you will never be forgotten. Your smile and laugh along with all the precious memories will forever remain. We loved you Yesterday still today and forever more. Pallbearers will be Hunter Spiller, Jason Spiller, Clayton LaBeth, Jared Hoot, Gene Cunningham, Matt Waggoner, Gordon Waggoner and Darrell Richardson.    Memorials, if desired, may be made in Loving memory to the Alzheimer's Association. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Monday, October 17.