Roll Call Tribute

Schmidt Funeral Home - Brookshire obituary
819 Waller Ave
PO Box 248
Brookshire, Texas 77423
Phone: (281) 934-2424

Katherine Griffin Wilson
( February 22, 1949 - November 23, 2013 )

Katherine Irene Griffin Wilson joined the church triumphant on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. Kathy was born in Houston, Texas on February 22, 1949, to James and Dorothy Griffin. In her mother''s family album, an entry reads, "Our 6th Wedding Anniversary was high-lighted by the joyous realization that we were expecting our third child. Katherine Irene arrived on Feb. 22 and we are so very proud of our little girl." Kathy joined her two older brothers, Jimmy and Danny, and became the light of her family''s heart. The family grew over the following years to fill their home on South Street in Brookshire, Texas. A year had barely passed before her brother, Johnny, her constant companion and protector, joined the family; her sister, Laurie, the messy side of the girls'' room, arrived five years later; and Kathy''s precious little brothers Robby and Roger followed. The line of children by the fireplace in the Christmas pictures kept getting longer and longer. To her brothers and sister, Kathy was the loving hands on a bruised knee and the strong arms to a weary child. She allowed sticky hands and cold feet to snuggle her at any moment. She found missing pacifiers and possums, and was a secret good sport to the pranks and teasing from her siblings. She could not tell a joke to its completion if her life had depended on it and the punch lines of the ones others told often went undetected. Nonetheless, her sense of humor and her delight in the happiness of others were boundless. Kathy walked across the street from home to Royal Elementary School in 1955 and graduated from Royal High School in 1967. She began playing piano as a child and had a lovely singing voice. In school she was a member of the band and choir, was a cheerleader, served as manager to the girls'' basketball and volleyball teams, was the editor of the yearbook, and a member of many student organizations. She loved to read, cook, and travel. She flew to Mexico City by herself as a teenager to stay with family friends over the summer. Kathy attended Southern Methodist University and graduated from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. There she learned to be an ardent football fan, watching her one-day husband, Charlie Wilson, play football for the Javalinas. After graduation, Kathy taught elementary school in Brenham, Texas. As a young professional, she began her graduate studies, bought her own home, and traveled extensively with friends. Kathy married Charlie Wilson of Pattison, Texas, on July 16, 1977. For over 36 years, they were an unwavering example of true love. He was her champion, confidant, and friend. After marriage, they continued their teaching and coaching careers in Needville, Texas. They then moved to the Brookshire-Pattison area and settled down among their many friends and both their families. Their own home grew in love and laughter with the additions of their beautiful daughters, Katie, in 1980, and Staci in 1981. Kathy''s love of children included not just her own treasured daughters and granddaughters, Kiara and Danielle, but also her beloved nieces and nephews. She spent countless hours and many wedding anniversaries sitting ringside at livestock shows across the state with her family, and was the biggest cheerleader, sitting front-and-center at every game, ceremony, and performance. She watched soccer, musicals, football, softball, weddings, concerts, parades, and graduations from kindergarten to law and medical school. Her "Sugar Bears" were always the stars. And she was theirs. Kathy''s love for her profession led her to attain many additional certifications to help her educate children with special needs. She received her Master''s in Education from Texas A&M University, and finished her career as diagnostician for Royal ISD. Kathy''s courage and beauty through her short battle with cancer is an example to us all. She has joined her parents, James and Dorothy Rapsilver Griffin, and her adored older brother, Jim Griffin in heaven, and is laughing with Sugar Bears, J.J. and Sara Christine. She is survived by her husband, Charles D. Wilson of Pattison; daughters Katie Wilson of Pattison and Staci Wilson of Houston; granddaughters Kiara and Danielle Jones of Pattison; sisters Loysanne Griffin of Dallas and Laura Griffin Menchaca (Richard) of San Antonio; brothers Dan Griffin (Pat) of College Station, Johnny Griffin (Joanie) of Sealy, Robert Griffin of Brookshire, and Roger Griffin (Rena) of Clear Lake. Her dear nieces and nephews will miss her laughter, cheers, and hugs, but will carry her love with them forever. Pallbearers are John Griffin, Michael Griffin, James Griffin, Charles Griffin, Aaron Smith, Rick Menchaca, Ryan Menchaca and John Thomas Menchaca. Honorary Pallbearers are Benny Phillips, Nathaniel Richardson and Richard Menchaca "Her Loving Brothers"

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to: First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Brookshire, Texas 77423 or to the Pattison United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 67, Pattison, Texas 77466.