Jimmie Galloway English

Jimmie English passed away peacefully at her home in Meadowlakes, Texas on Wednesday, October 2. She was 92. She was born Jimmie Ruth Galloway in Skidmore, Texas, on December 6, 1931, to Berta Ione Lloyd Galloway and Frank Vernon Galloway. She graduated valedictorian of Lytle High School class of 1950 in Lytle, Texas, and received a scholarship to study journalism at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. Jimmie moved to Abilene the summer before classes started, but her plans changed when she met and fell in love with Jack English. Jimmie and Jack were married on September 2, 1950, beginning a union that would serve as an example of loving, joyful partnership for over 48 years.

Jack and Jimmie were parents to 3 children, Jackie, Jill, and Joy. In 1955, the family moved from Abilene to Austin, Texas. In Austin, Jack and Jimmie were devoted members of Hyde Park Christian Church, and Jimmie began a career with the Texas Department of Public Safety where she worked for 25 years until her retirement. Jack and Jimmie lived in Austin until 1990, when they relocated to Highland Haven, Texas. After the move, Jimmie and Jack became devoted members of Central Christian Church in Marble Falls, and later Christ Redeemer Fellowship in Granite Shoals. As a church member, Jimmie taught Sunday School, volunteered with the women’s fellowship, and made friends with everyone who walked in the door. Jimmie was known as “Nana,” not just to her grandkids, but to every kid in the church.

Jimmie loved to stay busy and was never afraid of hard work. When she wasn’t working, she could be found volunteering at church, attending events at the Marble Falls Senior Activities Center, checking in on friends, visiting – and occasionally going gambling in Louisiana - with her beloved sisters, or in the audience at school functions and recitals, cheering for her grandkids. No matter how old her kids and grandkids got, or how far out their goals took them, Jimmie would go to any lengths to help her family chase their dreams. Her beloved husband Jack passed away on November 13, 1998, and for over 25 years, Jimmie kept his memory alive for her family. Whenever she wanted to give a special gift, or provide a special meal, she would simply tell the family “It’s from Poppy.”

“Nana’s house” was the center of family life, where the family picked pears, shelled pecans, hunted Easter Egg hunts, and celebrated every holiday. It was a place where her grandkids could find the special treats and favorite foods she kept just for them, like homemade ice cream with chocolate syrup! Jack and Jimmie loved to take the kids to swim at the lake, where Jimmie, (who never learned to swim!) would float on a floatie tied to the dock, occasionally hollering for a grandkid to come tow her back to shore when she floated a little too far out!

Jimmie was never afraid to stand out, and her wardrobe, home decor, and nail polish were always full of vibrant colors, especially pink! Those bright colors showed off her warm, outgoing, vivacious personality, a personality that was a rare mix of straightforwardness and openhearted welcome. She will be missed. We will miss her birthday cards, Christmas goodies, hugs, support, silliness, and sass! She made us laugh, kept us in line, and supported us generously and whole-heartedly in everything we did. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and fun, fierce devotion to her family, and an outgoing, friendly spirit.

Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents, her only brother and 4 sisters: Rhoda Katherine Galloway at 12 yrs of age, Francis Ione Wallace, Ray Leo Galloway, Nellie Maxine Brievogle, and Elizabeth Sue Dottie Goetzel, as well as her husband of 48 yrs Jack English. She is survived by her three children, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.