Shirley Mae Houston

Shirley Mae Gordon Houston, age 85, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023. Shirley was born in Jasper, Texas to Walter Louis Gordon and Marie Hulett Gordon. Shirley moved to Houston where she attended Reagan High School, South Texas Junior College, the University of Houston and Robert Krippner School of Reporting. She married Thomas H. (Tom) Houston, a school friend from high school.

Shirley was certified to work in the courts of the state of Texas. She realized after being certified by the courts that freelance reporters did not have to be certified. Shirley then became active in trying to get all court reporters in the state of Texas certified. This required many trips to the legislature by bus and then riding the bus back all night to get to the job the next morning. This was in the late 60s and 70s when airlines did not fly to Austin every few hours. After working on this for 10 years, she was one of seven reporters in Austin the day the bill was passed. She described that as one of the most exciting times of her life. Court reporters now must be tested and certified by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas. Shirley was a Certified and Registered Professional Reporter. When video was written into law, Shirley

became the first woman certified legal video specialist in Texas. She was the owner of Houston Reporting Service.

Shirley was extremely interested in furthering court reporting and being certain that it was an ethical profession and reporters were neutral. She is a lifetime member of Houston Court Reporters Association and was the first woman to be elected president of that association. She was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award by that association.

A member of Texas Court Reporters Association, Shirley served as Director and Vice-President. She was active for years with this association. Texas Court Reporters Association roasted Shirley and raised enough money to put in the first Courtroom of the Future in Texas. This was a courtroom where the reporter could write realtime and the judge and counsel could see instantaneous translation on their computer screens. Shirley was given the Above and Beyond Award, was selected to be in the Texas Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Service Award.

Shirley was a member of the National Court Reporters Association where she served as a Director. She also was on the 100 Year Celebration Committee for that association. She was a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters and was awarded the highest honor of that association, the Distinguished Service Award. She was also selected as a Royal Ambassador. Shirley served as Trustee and Chair of the National Court Reporters Foundation. She was awarded their Altruism Award and was a member of the Legacy Society. Shirley was a member of the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporters. She served as director and treasurer of that association and was the event coordinator for several conventions.

Shirley was one of the founders of a nationwide firm owners association that is now DepoSpan which was established in the 1980s. It is now the oldest network of firm owners in the nation. It was established to be certain that all reporters had rights to technological advancements. Shirley was well-known for writing, presenting seminars and event planning for all the associations of which she was a member. Shirley served as an advisor for Houston Community College, Alvin Community College and Court Reporters Institute of Houston. She has also been listed in the Who's Who of America, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in Legal, and Who's Who in the World.

Shirley, a fifth generation Texan, and her husband Tom became interested in exploring their family trees. She became a lifetime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Jamestowne Society. One of her favorite hobbies was doing genealogical research.

Shirley was honored to be a member of Second Baptist Church of Houston.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Tom Houston; father, Walter Louis Gordon; brother, Wil Gordon; sister, Betty Gordon Gray; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul Houston and Elizabeth Honeycutt Houston Ellisor; step father-in-law, Ernest Ellisor; grandfather and grandmother, W. M. Hulett and Linnie Hulett and grandmother and grandfather Walter LeRoy Gordon and Daisy Gordon.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Judy Gordon; brother-in-law Walker Richard (Sonny) Gray II; nephew, Walker Richard (Cody) Gray III and great-nephew, Walker Richard (Austin) Gray, IV.

A visitation for Shirley will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Pat H. Foley & Company, 1200 West 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018. A graveside service will occur Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway., Houston, TX 77079.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com for the Houston family.