JACQUELINE SMITH TOWER
1930-2021
Jackie Tower went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2021, peacefully at home. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents Jake & Rosyln Smith, brother Jake Smith Jr., husband Stephen A. Tower, grandson West Tower and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Jackie was a best friend, Mom, Grandma, role model and God’s blessing to all of us. Her spirit lives on through her sons and their wives – Stephen & Debra Tower, Bill & Fran Tower and Andy & Katherine Tower, grandchildren - Stephen Tower, Glyn Tower Bock and husband Matt Bock, Stephanie Tower, Buck Tower, Jack Tower, Hunt Tower and a Great-Grandson Bock due June 2021. A special expression of love and gratefulness to her caretakers Carolyn Smith, Barbette Holden, Gloria Miller and Anna Garcia. Jackie was born and raised in Memphis, TN on March 1, 1930, and always spoke fondly of her childhood and the loving environment in which she was raised. Her father Jake was one of ten children, so she was always surrounded by loving family. That was a blessing and led to her optimistic nature and contagious joy for life. Jackie, always fun and with quick humor, graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Memphis where her yearbook lists her as being voted “Most Witty.” She attended Memphis State University before beginning a career as a flight attendant with Chicago and Southern Airlines, Delta’s predecessor. During her early twenties Jackie also put her talents to use modelling and performing onstage in musicals.
She could belt out a great rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” at a simple request or simply when she felt like it. During one of her flights through Houston in 1953 she was introduced to her soon to be husband Steve Tower at the Shamrock Hilton. She quickly fell in love with him and after a 6-week engagement they were married at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Houston. Jackie loved her life as housewife, mother, car-pooler, cook and sometimes shortstop. She was legendary in her circle of friends, acquaintances and neighbors for her joy and optimistic outlook on life. It was common day occurrences to be somewhere and upon hearing that your last name was Tower to be asked, “Are you any kin to Jackie Tower? I just love her.” She had that effect upon people whether close friends, family or strangers. When you see someone that so obviously loves and enjoys life it makes you wonder what their secret is. Raising a family of three sons and supporting the love of her life Steve in his businesses kept her in constant activity, and she often commented that the best thing she made in her later years was “Reservations.” When asked by seeming well doers whether she would consider remarrying after Steve’s death she would say “Honey, at my age I don’t want to be a nurse or a purse!” Jackie was already a Grandma several times over by then and enjoyed the grandchildrens’ activities and had special relationships with each one of them. Her impact on each of them is a blessing. Jackie instilled in her sons a great love for family and friends and to live their lives by faith not by sight. She became best of friends to the nuns & priests at St. Michaels Catholic Church and the priests of Strake Jesuit & St. Thomas High Schools. She was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Michaels for many years, and an avid supporter and member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women Organization. Its address and phone number for those wishing to make a donation in her honor are 1203 Lovett Blvd., Houston, TX 77006. 713529-0995. A Private Service & burial will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.