Anita Kelley Gilmer

She was born May 5, 1937 to Jack Truman Kelley and Mary D. Kelley. She was raised in Houston and graduated from Milby High School in June of 1955.

As a firm believer in education, Anita attended college then graduated from Hermann School of Nursing and subsequently was employed by their hospital. While in nursing school, Anita met the love of her life, Henry Bruce Gilmer, Jr. while he was attending Rice University Graduate School.

They married August 8, 1959 and moved to Orange, Texas in 1963. The loving couple moved back to Houston in 1967 for employment opportunities and settled down where they raised their 2 children.

In her 40’s, Anita took a nursing refresher course and worked for 7 years. She was a talented, dedicated nurse at Methodist Hospital and Park Plaza Hospital.

She was a fantastic homemaker with incredible seamstress abilities as she made all her daughter’s clothes when she was a child and granddaughter’s costumes. Her love of cooking was endless until the last year of her life. Anita brought all her diversified skills and joyful spirit even to Girl Scout Troops activities.

Anita was a dedicated Christian and was a godly woman who lived out her faith. In addition to being an adored parishioner, she volunteered at Southwest Area Ministries for 20 years. She cherished watching her beloved Astros team with her family, even participating in the Astros giveaways at Minute Maid Park with her church.

In her younger years, she was an active participant and was voted President of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Philanthropic Sorority one year.

The enormous love of family and friends was a vital part of her life. Anita received great pleasure going to the numerous extracurricular events of her two grandchildren, whom she dearly loved. In her retirement years with Bruce, her love of local & international travel was a source of immense joy and relaxation.

Anita is survived by her husband of 61 years, Bruce; two children, Kelley Gilmer of Houston, Texas and Bruce and Monica Gilmer of Pearland, TX; and grandchildren Mollie Shin and Humberto Gilmer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Bellaire United Methodist, 4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401, and Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030.