Elizabeth McClurg Douglas

The eldest of six children of Louise and Michael Montalbano, Elizabeth was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She learned to work early. Even before graduating from Spring Branch High School, she worked at her grandparents’ grocery and in clothing retail, having earliest dreams of fashion. Her father, though, encouraged her another direction, and attending the University of Houston, Elizabeth began a life dedicated to education—learning, teaching and counseling. Elizabeth would eventually pursue and complete bachelor’s degrees in both Distributing/Marketing and Business Education and a master’s degree in Education from U of H as well as a master’s degree in Counseling & Psychology from Texas A&M University Prairie View Extension.

Education was her calling, and a vibrant, impactful career that began as a teacher in Houston grew and led to her excelling as a student counselor for twelve years at Clements High School in Sugar Land before moving up as a Career & Technology Coordinator for Fort Bend ISD. Her dedication to education and service was further evident as even at the same time she assisted in the establishment of a private Christian school in Sugar Land and worked after hours as a substance abuse counselor and consultant. Elizabeth’s lasting impact is reflected in the former students who continued to stay in touch with her.

And yet, the role Elizabeth cherished most was as a mother. From the birth of Paul in 1984 and Kathryn in 1987, Elizabeth gave of herself to her children immensely, serving and sacrificing, loving boundlessly, and always making sure she made time for family. Never done loving, never done serving, Elizabeth could not help herself, and Paul and Kathryn warmly remember that Elizabeth always welcomed other children needing help and care into their home. In 2013, with the arrival of Emily, to be followed by Braden and William, Mom became Nonna, the greatest Nonna ever.

In 2010, Elizabeth married Lee Douglas, a resident of Brentwood. Together, they relocated to Tennessee where she once again embraced her role as a High School Counselor. For most of the past decade, Elizabeth worked at Overton High School in Nashville where she actively participated in Youth Legislature on an annual basis. The most fulfilling aspect of her job was guiding her students to pursue higher education opportunities that suited their abilities. Overall, Elizabeth Douglas made significant contributions as a counselor, both in Texas and Tennessee. Her dedication to her students has remained unwavering throughout her career.

The drive of Elizabeth’s passion for the good that she did was from her faith in Jesus as the Messiah. It led her to a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s founding upon those same Biblical principles. In her later years, Elizabeth had become very patriotic. Proud to be a Texan, Elizabeth made it known that her heritage was full-blooded Italian, with the Continental cooking skills and the love and quantity of family to prove it. Preceded in death by her parents Louise and Michael Montalbano, Elizabeth is survived by: her husband Lee Douglas of Brentwood; her siblings Michael Montabano, Jr. and wife Kathleen of Houston, Tony Montalbano and wife Kathryn of Houston, Rose (Montalbano) Tauriello and husband Terry of Houston, Marie (Montalbano) Lomax of Houston, and Veda Montalbano of Houston; her children Paul McClurg of Nashville and Kathryn (McClurg) Owens and husband Brett, and their children Emily, Braden and William, of Houston, and their father Terry McClurg of Houston; and her stepchildren Erin (Douglas) Roark and husband Nick, and their children Jack and Lily Kate Landers, of Brentwood, Courtney (Douglas) Howard and husband Grant, and their children Maggie, Finn and Carolina, of Nashville, Lindsay (Douglas) Sikora and husband Jim, and their children Charlie and Natalie, of Atlanta, and Spencer Douglas of Nashville.

Lee and her children would like to invite friends and family to join in thanking God for Elizabeth.

A time of visitation is planned for Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in the Atrium at Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Rd., Brentwood, Tennessee. A Celebration of Life will follow at 4:30 pm in Baskin Chapel. All are also welcome afterwards at Lee and Elizabeth’s barn, 1219 Franklin Rd., not far from the church.

In Houston, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, a visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Rosary for Elizabeth beginning at 7:00 pm, at Pat H. Foley & Company Funeral Home, 1200 W. 34th St., Houston, Texas. Burial will be the following morning, July 12, at 10:00 am at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas.