Bertha Jamison lived a complete life, filled to abundance with joy, purpose and love. Hard work, service and devotion to God and family were her guideposts. With her sweet and kind disposition, she left an unforgettable impression on everyone she met. She genuinely cared about people and she treasured the countless friends she made throughout her life.
A native of Beaumont, Texas, she was born on the 18th of November 1929. At the age of five her family moved to Houston attending Montrose Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School, where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1947. She then attended Rice Institute (now Rice University) and graduated with a BA in Medieval History in 1951. At Rice she was vice president of the sophomore class, a member of the Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, Outstanding Senior and Phi Beta Kappa. She later obtained a Master of Education at the University of Houston.
Bertha’s entire career was spent in education. She taught at Mark Twain and Walnut Bend Elementary Schools. She then became a principal at Milam Elementary in HISD and was the founding principal at Chambers Elementary and Chancellor Elementary in Alief ISD. She retired in 1988 but continued an active life of volunteerism. Her activities included the Blue Bird Circle, Memorial Assistance Ministries and the Alexander Love chapter of the DAR. She was also on the board at The Willowick where she was a resident for many years.
The most meaningful area of service to her was Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Guided by her unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, she was a dedicated member for 58 years. She was especially active in the Wedding Band and Candlelighters Sunday School classes and the Chapelwood School. In recognition of her service and leadership, the church named her a Lifetime Board Member.
Bertha married her high school sweetheart Sam James “Jim” Jamison in 1951 and they spent 57 wonderful years together until his death in 2008. They enjoyed traveling to many countries, spending time with family and friends and were fixtures at Lamar High School reunions. Despite declining health, she still maintained a positive and peaceful demeanor. As she recently wrote in her journal, “I am a child of God, and my cup runneth over.” We will greatly miss our Bertha, Mom and Memomma.
Bertha was predeceased by her parents, Hugh Rufus Gray and Bertha Oliphint Gray; her husband Jim Jamison; and granddaughter, Angela Jamison. She is survived by her sons, James and wife Clara, Bryan and wife Stephanie, and Bruce and wife Martha. Also surviving are niece, Melissa Philbrook and husband Andy; grandchildren, Jimmy Jamison, Emily Schmid and husband Bill, Melanie Jamison, Lauren Jamison and husband Chris Maier, Matt Clark, Meredith Taylor and husband Aaron, Sam Jamison and fiancée Betsy Wiener; and four great-grandchildren.
The family is grateful to the staff at The Tradition-Woodway and Crossroads Hospice for their dedicated care in her final months.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 20th of September, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 21st of September, in the sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston, where Wick Stuckey, Senior Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Prior to the service the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, those desiring may direct memorial contributions to Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX 77024; to the Blue Bird Circle, 615 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77006; to Memorial Assistance Ministries, 1625 Blalock Road, Houston, TX 77080; or to the charity of one’s choice.
David, Ashton, Cody, and I were just calling you to wish you a happy 93rd. I am heartbroken learning that you have passed. This photo is from our visit in August. We love you dearly and would never be able to thank you fully for your love for our boys and our family. Rest in loving peace. Jenny Garcia
Our deepest condolences to your entire, dear family on losing sweet Bertha. Her father, Rufus Gray, was my father's uncle, so we have shared a long relationship. I loved hearing my Dad talk about his own father, and then listen as Bertha and my Dad would share old stories about days long ago. My Mom and Dad knew Bertha her whole life, having shared many celebrations and happy meals with her parents. Thank you so much for honoring her with a beautiful Celebration of Life. May the family continue to cherish these wonderful memories as she was simply a glorious inspiration to all.
Louis and I were fond neighbors of Bertha and Jim for many years in Memorial. We are saddened to learn of the loss of dear Bertha. She would always greet us with a “Good Sabbath” on our Jewish day of rest. Bertha and I prayed together after news broke of the 9/11 tragedy. When they moved to the Willowick we enjoyed a lovely visit. Not long ago, perhaps in the past year , I saw Bertha at Costco and recall her as I always knew her— so happy and friendly. As Louis and I are isolating from Covid, please accept our sympathies to the Jamison family and blessings for happy celebrations for years to come. Fondly Sheila and Louis Train
I was one of the founding students at Chancellor. Such was my love for kindergarten, I took it twice, and when my fifth-grade year at that school was done, I was probably the last original student still there. All the while, Mrs. Jamison was my principal. And in Mrs. Jamison's Chancellor (as with her successors, I'm sure), we were safe, well taken-care of, and our teachers were valued. Bertha was also afraid of venturing into Chuck Raimondo's science room with the tarantula and other critters. Bertha was a lovely lady, and it is no surprise to hear of her outward works at Chapelwood. Clearly an indication of the godly heart within as was her work in education... Rest in peace, and rise in glory, Mrs. Jamison. Jeff Ragsdale Chancellor Elementary School student, autumn 1977 to spring 1984
Having a quiet celebration of Bertha’s 92nd birthday. She was my principal, mentor, Blue Bird sponsor and dear friend. I feel so honored and blessed to have spent so much time with her.
My deepest condolences to all of Bertha’s family. She was the first Southern gentlewoman I met upon my arrival in Houston back in 1978 as a young Yankee teacher. She hired me not once, but twice. Bertha molded me in my twenties through my thirties. She has left me with innumerable life lessons which have seen me through life for the 44 years of our friendship. I still need work on my grammar from time to time, as she would be happy to remind me! ✅ Here we are with her late husband Jim at a gathering at my place in The Heights, February 2008. Thank you Bertha, for always having my back and it was my privilege to always be at your side. Love you.💞💞💞
Oh my goodness....Jim and I use to talk about his invention "Old Smoky". Matter of fact one evening Bertha came to the backyard and asked 'what in the world are you talking about?" Yes, we enjoyed each other...introduced by Bertha, Wilma's Principal at Chambers Elementary. Wilma learned so co much from Bertha! including how to write a procedure for Special Olympics, Alief elementary school level. That same procedure was accepted district level, then approved by TESA for other schools. Bertha was 'let's do it right the first time', my wife Wilma learned how to do it over again; always saying how smart Bertha was! Thank you for good times, God has a spot for you(next to Wilma). Monte Ikner
Bertha and Mardene O’Donnell were two of my lifelong “Gutsy Women”. They always told me the honest truth about teaching, family and friendship. Professionally, Bertha molded my teaching style and behavior into one that excelled. Mardene made sure my wild and creative side was toned down enough at work to be successful. Bertha taught me how to treat difficult parents with mutual respect and kindness at ARD’s so that their children could be successful in school. I was fortunate to be with each of these remarkable angels a couple of days before they died and tell them personally how I felt about them as I said good bye. They are both living in my heart forever 💞.
This team made up most of the front office at Chancellor during my ten years there. They treated parents, students, visitors, and staff with friendliness and kindness. It was a well organized unit that knew the answer to most questions one had or could find out quickly if they didn’t. Bertha knew how to organize and manage a large school with ease. She had the ability to hire a staff that would become working teams, friends, and lifelong family. Many of Bertha’s hires took her training and knowledge to become leaders in other schools in Alief and throughout Texas.
Bertha’s 90th birthday party was an opportunity for us to laugh, tell stories about our days working at Chancellor Elementary School, and show gratitude and admiration for our amazing principal and friend. Bertha told me that she was concerned no one would remember her or speak kindly of her when she grew older or died as so many did for our fellow teacher and friend, Joann Wood. She really couldn’t believe how many of us truly loved her as our friend and mentor.
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