Georgette Browder Goble

Georgette Elaine Covo Browder Goble July 25, 1922 March 9, 2009 Georgette Elaine Covo Browder Goble passed away Monday, March 9, 2009. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel in Waco, TX with Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck, TX with Rev. Ron Bellomy officiating. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Georgette and her identical twin sister, Jacqueline Marie, were born in New York City on July 25, 1922 to Bertie Gertrude Sutton and Jacques Marcel Covo. They moved to San Antonio with their mother at an early age. They were gifted pianists and loved playing duets together from the two pianos in their home. A graduate of the University of Texas in 1944, Georgette received her B.A. degree major geology, minor chemistry Summa Cum Laude. She belonged to many organizations including Kappa Alpha Theta, Alpha Lambda Delta, Orange Jackets, Phi Beta Kappa, and Mortar Board. She was president of the UT Sports Association nine women's sports clubs in 1944 and was honored as an Outstanding Student in the Cactus yearbook. Georgette and her dear sister, Jackie, loved the University of Texas where friends affectionately referred to them as "the Covo Twins". During World War II Georgette was involved with various groups that entertained military personnel, both in San Antonio and the Austin area and she actively participated in fundraisers for various war efforts. On November 10, 1944, Georgette married Ensign Jack Forrester Browder, also a UT graduate, after he returned from naval duty in the Australia area. From 1946-1957 Georgette and Jack lived in Groesbeck, Texas. They had a building supply and construction business and participated in numerous civic and church activities. Three of their children, Jack Jr., Susan, and Robert "Bobby" were born in Groesbeck. In 1957 the family moved to Pecos, Texas, where Jack started a large irrigated cotton farming operation. In November, Carol, their fourth child was born. While living in Pecos, Jack and Georgette were very involved in their children's numerous activities and both took leadership roles in various civic and church activities in the community. Their children were always their top priority, and the days were filled with carpooling, sewing, tutoring, and juggling the tasks of keeping a household running. Georgette was supportive in every aspect of her children's lives. An example is when she allowed her family to convert the backyard into a nightly neighborhood track and field event..complete with a long jump and pole vault pit! Her family provided Georgette with great joy, and she was constantly volunteering to help with school, scouting, and church events. Jack and Georgette moved to Waco in late 1969 when Jack became a vice president of Waco's Lake Air National Bank. Again Jack and Georgette became very active in the community and their church. Georgette's first love, Jack, died of a heart attack at the age of 49 on April 15, 1973. Three years later, Georgette was blessed with a wonderful second husband. On July 17, 1976, Georgette married widower John Edward Goble. They enjoyed traveling, the symphony and playing couples bridge. He was very supportive of her many community activities and was a loving husband, stepfather and grandfather. John passed away on October 31, 2008. Georgette participated in many Waco charities, including serving as President of the Waco Symphony Women's Council now Waco Symphony Council. She was also President of the Waco Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, Thursday Study Club, and The Brazos Forum. Georgette served the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant as General Chairman and Corporate Board President. She welcomed the opportunity to help others and had great planning and organizational skills. She was vice chairman of the Waco Parks and Recreation Commission and served on the boards of Keep Waco Beautiful, Evangelia Settlement, Laura Edwards Christian Community Center, The Art Center Associates, Dean Highland Neighborhood Association, and the Historic Waco Foundation. Georgette served the Earle Napier Kinnard House for nine years, including the house chairmanship, and later became a Friend of Earle Napier Kinnard House. She also worked several years on the McCulloch House Committee. With all these commitments, she still found time to enjoy meeting with her friends in the Tuesday Bridge Club. Georgette joined Waco's First United Methodist Church in 1970 and quickly became very involved. She served as a greeter, secretary of the Board of Stewards, vice chairman of the Administrative Board, and officer and worker with the Five Alive-Helping Hands Group of the United Methodist Women. Very interested in the history of the church, Georgette researched and prepared the documents for the granting of the Historic Site Marker in 1996. She initiated the establishment of a church archives and also sent large collections of materials to The Texas Collection at Baylor University, Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and many other libraries and collections. The congregation of First United Methodist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2000. Georgette and Gloria Marshall, co-archivists, wrote the history of the congregation that was published in the directory and featured in a special newspaper article. In 2003, Rev. Steve Ramsdell, senior pastor, asked Georgette to be the official historian of the church and she enthusiastically accepted. In 1987 Baylor's Mortar Board chapter presented Georgette with its Local Woman of the Year Award. She also received the Outstanding Alumnae Award from Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1996 Georgette was honored as being a YMCA "Pathfinder". Georgette participated in many endeavors everywhere she lived, but her primary focus and joy were derived from her family and the activities of each member of her family. She was blessed to have two wonderful husbands, four children, two stepchildren and their respective families. Surviving are her children, Jack Forrester Browder, Jr. and wife, Becky of Houston; Susan Carol Driver and husband, Ray of Houston; Robert "Bob" or "Bobby" Brian Browder and wife, Debbie of Temple; Carol Anne Browder of Houston; step-children, John E. Goble, III and wife, Nancy of Dallas; Jean McKinney and husband, Don of Waco; grandchildren, Tommy and Ben Browder; Lauran, Jimmy and John Driver; Haley and Brian Browder; Jennifer McKelvey and husband, David; Sydney Hampton and husband, Hunter; great grandchildren, John, Mark and Jaycee McKelvey. Georgette was a very gracious, caring, loving person who saw the best in everyone. Her strong faith in Christ was reflected in her unselfish service to others. She will be dearly missed by those whose lives she touched, especially her family and many friends. At Georgette's request, honorary pallbearers are all her many dear friends. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, First United Methodist Church in Waco or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey