Jane Kelley Williamson

Jane Kelley Williamson, age 82, died on January 2, 2018 following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jane resided at SPST Senior Living, a caring nursing home community in Hillje. Born to the late Margaret Ezell McNeill Kelley and Elvin Lafayette Kelley on February 9, 1935 in Refugio, Texas, Jane is preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, renowned bandmaster Thomas Wyatt Williamson; beloved sons, Thomas (Tommy) Wyatt Williamson, Jr. and Harrell Ralph Williamson; sister, Alyce Owens; and brother, Patrick Kelley.

After attending Wharton County Junior College and the University of Houston, Jane served as librarian for Crescent and Southside Elementary Schools in El Campo. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of El Campo and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Comfort Wood Chapter.

Our beautiful and loving mother, grandmother, and sister, brought elegance and grace to our lives. An accomplished pianist, saxophonist, and singer, Jane instilled a love of music in her children. She was happiest when surrounded by her grandchildren and loved the holidays when the family gathered around the piano to sing.

When Jane saw a need, she chose to lead by example. In 2011, she established the Thomas Wyatt and Jane Kelley Williamson Endowed Scholarship for Future Bandmasters at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She stated in a press release that "The young students going through the program are all very talented. Music has always been an important part of our family and enriched our lives. I think it is very important to bring this opportunity to these kids and I hope more people realize it."

Jane is survived by her daughters, Dr. Sue Zanne Williamson (Richard) Urbis and Madge Williamson (Doug) Vackar of El Campo; Clarissa Williamson-Williford (Brandon Williford) of Victoria; daughter-in-law, Mary Raun Williamson (Tommy) Johnson of El Campo; grandchildren, Laura Williamson (Tyson) Duncan; Jasen (Jessica) Petersen; Sarah Williamson (Michael) Burden; Thomas Williamson; Harrell Petersen; Trinity Williamson-Williford; step-grandchildren, Hunter Johnson; Nathan (Kim) Vackar; Courtney Vackar; brother, David Kelley of Victoria; and sister-in-law, Lela Williamson (Truitt) Thomson of Coldspring.

The memorial service is scheduled at the First Presbyterian Church of El Campo on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. with a graveside service on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Stephen Creek in Coldspring, Texas. Arrangements are under the care of the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Jane may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at 203 W. Calhoun; El Campo, Texas 77437 or the Thomas Wyatt and Jane Kelley Williamson Endowed Scholarship for Future Bandmasters at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at UTRGV Office of Institutional Advancement; 1201 W. University Dr., EITTB 1.210; Edinburg, Texas 78539.