Madeline B. Preston

Madeline B. Preston, passed away while surrounded by family on Monday, March 12, 2012. She was born to Charles and Hattie (Fox) Barton in Oklahoma City on July 20, 1920. Austin was her second home for fourteen years. At age 74 she reluctantly retired from Sunniland Furniture in Houston taking lasting relationships with her as she made new friends here.

Madeline was a yellow-dog democrat, a devoted fan of Ester’s Follies, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys. She will be remembered for her out-going personality, sense of humor, margaritas, long stories, love of gardening, passion for beautiful things, and her holiday decorating.

Madeline is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest T. Preston; daughter, Niesha (Frymire) Fort; granddaughter-in-law, Shanna Martin; first husband, Woodrow F. Frymire; and other beloved family members.

Madeline leaves behind her beloved cat, Zorro, who, with the stroke of a paw, found Madeline when she visited Town Lake Animal Shelter. In addition, she leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon (Frymire) McMillian and Dr. John McMillian; son-in-law, Dr. Sam Fort; granddaughters, Kelley Martin and Ari Fort; grandson, Stacy Martin; great-grandsons, Joshua Mosher/Leslie Quintinera, and Kendon Martin. Madeline was blessed to be a “Step-Mudder” to daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Richard Baker; daughter, Patty Mitchell, son, Earnest Preston, grandsons, Richard and Chris Baker and children, Charlie and Will Mitchell; her angel and “adoptulated granddaughter”, Kellie Winters. She loved her nieces, Wanda Mysinger, Mary Jane and Kevin Kerney, Mary Jo and Chuck Hicks, Patsy Nutt, Karen Samual; nephew, Bob Frymire. Madeline will be missed by her partners in holiday decorating crimes, Angie and Jerome Schoolar, yard-crashers, Christie and John Tipton, her “Antique Angels Red-Hatters”, and faithful friend, Barbara Hutchins of Houston.

The family wishes to thank the outstanding professionals at West Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for the love and care they gave Madeline this year. They, and the beautiful residents there, became our friends and family.

The family will receive friends at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2012, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Reverend Pamela Marie Brouker will officiate.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2012 at Woodlawn Memorial Garden, 8010 Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Madeline to an animal shelter of your choosing.