Jeann Wisenbaker's Obituary
Billie Jeann Henderson Wisenbaker was born in Wheeler County, Texas on January 2, 1923. She passed away July 19, 2016, in Lubbock,Texas, at age 93 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Ralph Wisenbaker, 5 brothers Acie, Joe, Kid, Ernest and T.B.; and 5 sisters Jessie Henry, Bessie Carver, Murl Henry, Ruth Vaughn and Bobbie Nell Burrell. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Gierhart, many nieces and nephews and loving friends. Jeann had a long and fruitful life. Her paying jobs ranged from being secretary to a Brigadier General FS Borum during World War Two, to being credit manager for Michael Jewelry Company and then Schreiber-Miller Furniture Stores in Galveston. There she was active in the Galveston Credit Union rising to office of president of the State Credit Association. Through the legacy of her parents, her heart was always in volunteering and serving. In 1997 she married Ralph Wisenbaker, moved to Mesquite, Texas, where she continued her volunteer work and was instrumental in forming the Mesquite Arts Council. She helped organize many different branches of the Arts from symphony to the symphony debutantes. She received citizen of the year from several organizations and was honored with two Jeann Wisenbaker Days in Mesquite. She and Ralph served as interns in the office of Congressman John Bryant in Washington D.C., May 1984. She was also a 1996-1997 Texas Woman’s Hall of Fame inductee. In 2001 the courtyard of the Mesquite Arts Center was named the Jeann and Ralph Wisenbaker Courtyard. She received the Pillar of the Community award from the City of Mesquite, which was named the Jeann Wisenbaker award. She volunteered for the convention center, was a member of the Women’s Club, serving as president from 1994 to 1996. Jeann was a proud member of the Mesquite Police Academy. She was also an active member of the First Methodist Church in Mesquite. She loved to travel and had visited places all over the world. She was loved by family and friends and all will miss her quick smile and quick wit. The family asks that memorials be sent to either Hospice of Lubbock, First Methodist Church of Mesquite, or a favorite charity. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at Restland Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 2:00PM at First United Methodist Church, Mesquite, TX. A reception will follow the memorial service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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