LINDA BEELEY DENISON
1941-2021
Linda Beeley Denison went home to Jesus on Thursday, the 22nd of July 2021, surrounded by her loved ones. She fought valiantly against cancer and never wavered in her faith, her joy or her loving spirit. She was 80 years of age.
A native Houstonian,
Linda was born on the 18th of April 1941, to James and Roberta Beeley. She attended The Kinkaid School and graduated in 1958. After spending her freshman year at Randolph Macon Women’s college in Virginia, she came home and graduated from the University of Texas in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. These growing up years etched deep, cherished friendships that lasted throughout her life.
She married the love of her life, William P. “Mack” Denison, Jr. on the 30th of June 1962 and started their lifetime together in her hometown of Houston. Her four children, Dawn, Darby, Courtney and Colby followed in the years to come. Being a loving wife, mother and grandmother was the cornerstone of her life. In her very own words, “I loved my family first above all”.
Linda never met a stranger. She spread kindness and joy as if it were woven into the very fabric of her being. She did this effortlessly. Whether it was a lifelong friend, or a brand new acquaintance, one came away feeling her loving touch and caring words. Everyone felt like Linda was their best friend. Her love, laughter and joy was as boundless as it was contagious. “Loving like Linda“is a legacy that will follow us all into eternity.
Life was one big adventure for her fun loving spirit. She spent six summers at Camp Waldemar and decades more visiting her children and grandchildren. She loved to play tennis and golf at River Oaks Country Club and traveled extensively throughout her life. Some of her favorite memories were of the 28 years drawing family and friends together at her home in Lakeway.
A self-proclaimed “groupie,” Linda loved gatherings. She was in several bridge clubs, a breakfast club, a dancing club, an investment club, River Oaks Garden Club and a ladies ski group. She also loved to give of her time and talents. She served as past President of Kinkaid Mother’s Club, Theta Mother’s Club and Junior League Sustainers Club. She served on the board of Kinkaid Alumnae, Bo’s Place and the Neuhaus Center Advisory Board. She was a lifetime member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and past member of the Altar Guild and a Sunday school teacher. She also served as Secretary of Dixie Pipe Sales, a family company started by her father, uncle and aunt.
Linda is preceded in death by her mother, Roberta Beeley, and father, James Beeley; as well as her sister, Becky Watkins. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, William “Mack” Denison; her daughters, Dawn Thompson and her husband Lance, Darby Denison and Courtney Fortney; her son, Colby Denison and his wife Susanne; her brother and sister in law, Bob and Susan Beeley; her grandchildren, Cameron and Luke Thompson, Walt, Tatum and Tanner Fortney, and Worth, Merritt and Miles Denison; her nieces and nephews, Eddie Watkins, Slater Watkins and his wife Hilda, Meghan Thompson and her husband Steve, Chris Beeley and wife Shannon, Mark Beeley, Elizabeth Hemphill and her husband Tripp; and her beloved dachshund, Jenny.
The family wishes to extend their grateful appreciation to her angelic caregivers, Julia, Yolanda and Kyra.
A Memorial Service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 11th of August, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Those unable to attend may watch the live-streaming accessible at https://stmartinsepiscopal.org/funerals/.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX, 77056, or to the charity of one’s choice in honor of Linda’s generous spirit and inclusive nature.
Please visit Mrs. Denison’s online memorial tribute where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.