Jackie Rather

Jaqueline Elizabeth Rather, born on June 20, 1932, went to be with Jesus on March 1, 2017, at the age of 84. She died peacefully in her home in Copperas Cove, Texas. Jackie was an only child, born in Minneapolis, MN, but raised in Houston, TX by Jay and Sally Speece. She attended Lamar High school, where she met the love of her life and future husband Herbert Rather. They dated for a short period in high school, but their love didn’t blossom until they met again, on a train, on their way to the Colorado School of Mines. Jackie and Herbert married on June 23, 1952 and raised 3 children, Kathi, Jon, and Jay in a home Herb designed and built in the Memorial area of Houston. They loved to entertain and she and Herb developed life-long friendships, lasting even to this day. Jackie devoted her life to her family even hand making skating costumes for her children. In the 1980’s, they bought a ranch outside of Lampasas where they lived for years raising horses, goats and hosting family gatherings. Jackie loved the ranch and her animals. She was an accomplished gardener with a gift for creating beautiful natural landscapes. She is survived by her three children Kathi Hall, Jon Rather, Jay and wife Karen Rather, as well as their families including 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- grandchildren. Jackie enjoyed cooking, travelling and expressing her creativity. She couldn’t turn down a stray animal and could grow anything. She will be remembered as an extremely generous woman who always believed the best in people and had an idealistic view of world around her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate . Memorial service will be Sunday March 26, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel.