Joan Ussery

Joan Ussery of Conroe died of Alzheimer’s disease in Montgomery, Texas, on November 9, 2017. She was born on September 26, 1932, in Nowata, Oklahoma, the seventh of nine children delivered to Alphonse and Agnes Van Haverbeke. Joan graduated valedictorian of New London (Texas) High School in 1950, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston in 1954. She married Hermon D. “Skeet” Ussery in Gladewater, Texas, on January 11, 1958, a perfect love that endured for 53 years until his death in 2011. She was a nurse in several facilities, most notably at the old Montgomery County Hospital on First Street in Conroe and the Montgomery County Health Department for many years, serving as Director of Nursing at both facilities. She made a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of coworkers and patients for more than forty years before retiring from nursing in 1995.

Her passing is mourned by her children: Aileen Graybill (and husband Garry) of Conroe, son David Ussery of Montgomery, and daughter Dr. Beth Lewis (and husband T.J. Aulds) of Corpus Christi. She will also be missed by her grandson Buster Graybill (and wife Jasmyne) of San Antonio and granddaughter Mandy Pate (and husband Jason) of Austin. She was grateful to enjoy the blessings of the Pate great- grandchildren: Ashlyn Faith, Savanna Grace, Jaycee Hope, and Jason Barrett, all of Austin. She is also survived by her sister, Patsy Kozub of Conroe, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be from 5 pm-7 pm on Monday, November 13, with the funeral service on Tuesday, November 14 at 2 pm, both at Metcalf Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Garden Park Cemetery immediately following the funeral. The family wishes to thank her wonderful home caregiver Mirella Avila, the volunteers of the Friendship Center of Willis, the members of the Gathering Place of Conroe, and especially the staff of Virginia’s Hospice and Silver Hills Assisted Living Center for their care, love and dignity shown to Joan in her final months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Joan to: “The Gathering Place” First Methodist Church Conroe (Memory Care Ministry) 4308 W. Davis

Conroe, TX 77304