Suzann Seidel Jones

Suzann Seidel Jones, 85, of Brenham, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. She was born on May 5, 1939, in Brenham to Annie Louise and Lorenz Seidel. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A proud Brenham native, Suzann's early years were marked by achievement and community involvement. She was crowned Junior Queen of the Maifest in 1949 and was an accomplished Girl Scout, winning both state and national camping competitions, including a prestigious trip to Lansing, Michigan. During her years at Brenham High School, she was a baton twirler and was honored as Miss BHS her senior year. Her vibrant personality and photogenic nature even earned her two appearances in Life Magazine during these years.

Following her graduation, Suzann attended Blinn College, where she was a cheerleader. She later took summer classes at Texas A&M University before transferring to The University of Texas, where she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Her cheerleading spirit never dimmed, as she would go on to support teams in every color of the rainbow – from Aggie maroon and Brenham green to various teams her grandchildren played for – though notably never in burnt orange, a loving concession to Don.

On August 6, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Jones. Following their respective graduations from the University of Texas and Texas A&M, they welcomed their son Russell. The young family moved to Dickinson when Don joined W.S. Bellows Construction Company as a project manager during NASA's early years. During this time, Suzann taught at Alvin High School. They later relocated to Fort Hood, where their daughter Jill was born, before settling in Houston.

Suzann pursued her passion for education, earning her Master's degree as a reading specialist. She dedicated 24 years to teaching at Northbrook High School in Spring Branch, impacting the lives of thousands of students. She was recognized as a finalist for the 1995 Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teacher.

In 1996, Suzann and Don retired and built their dream home on the Texian Ranch in Brenham, which they had purchased in 1982. The ranch became a cherished gathering place, hosting family and class reunions for over 35 years.

Suzann and Don shared a love of travel with their friends and family, exploring places like South America, Switzerland, France, Scotland, and Italy.

Throughout their marriage, Suzann embraced her role as a "fishing and hunting widow." With her free time, she pursued her own passions for reading, cards, crossword puzzles, and in recent years, Wordle.

A skilled and competitive card player, Suzann maintained bridge groups for over forty years and was known for her winning streak in family games of Pitch and Liverpool Rummy. She was an avid reader who could devour a good book in days, and she never missed her annual traditions: the Good Friday Picnic at the Gun & Rod with close Brenham friends, gatherings with her Brenham Birthday Club, and the cherished Christmas Eve candlelight services with her children and grandchildren, where the creative handling of melting candle wax became a source of family amusement.

A devoted member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Suzann served in multiple capacities including singing in the choir and as a Stephen Minister. She also found great joy in her role as Vice President of Tours for the Washington County Heritage Society.

Suzann was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Donald Jones; her parents, Annie Louise and Lorenz Seidel; and her mother-in-law Louise Jones and husband AD Jones. She is survived by her son Russell Jones and wife Mary; daughter Jill Rome and husband Mark; grandchildren Meredith and Cason Jones, Paxton and Hayden Rome; sister Rebecca Flowers; sister-in-law Marilyn Webster and husband Brian; step-grandchildren Sarah and John McKirahan; and special family members Brian Serafine and Elena Serafine Zelco.

A visitation with family present is planned from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer Street, Brenham, Texas, 77833. The funeral service will be held the next day, Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West Third, Brenham, Texas, 77833. Serving as pallbearers will be Cason Jones, Paxton Rome, Hayden Rome, Kyle Hammer, Bob Judge, Griffin Judge, Erik Hammer, John McKirahan, and Brian Serafine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends consider a donation in Suzann’s name to the Heritage Society of Washington County www.giddingsstonemansion.com