of West Memphis, AR
September 2, 1930 - October 22, 2020
Alene Wells Brown Houston was born September 2, 1930 at 7:45am to James Madison Brown and Lillie Mildred Arnold Brown, at the home of her grandparents in Sardis, Mississippi. She returned to her Heavenly home October 22, 2020 at 10:57pm at her home in West Memphis, Arkansas. She was surrounded by her children, most of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
After completing her junior year in high school, she met and married the love of her life Ira Claude Houston Jr. on May 16, 1947. They had four children.
In May 2002, she fulfilled a lifelong promise to her mother to graduate high school. At the age of 71, she received her GED and made her walk across the stage in cap and gown to receive her diploma. At the time she received her GED she was the oldest person in the state of Arkansas to complete the program.
She was a homemaker and cared for many family members in times of illness, including her son Barry who had cerebral palsy. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many callings as a Primary Teacher, Young Women's Leader and in the Women's Relief Society Program. She also served an 18-month mission for the church 2004-2005, in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Family History Center.
She loved her family and was devoted to their every need. Always putting other first. Her family was her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She loved to travel and was a true lady in every sense of the word. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. She loved her Savior and truly lived a Christlike life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Ira Claude Houston Jr., her son Charles Barron (Barry) Houston; her parents James Madison and Lillie Mildred Arnold Brown; and brothers James Edwin Brown and Rawdon Barron Brown. She is survived by her only sister Frances Jewel Brown Burch.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories daughter Claudia Foret of West Memphis, Arkansas, son James Houston (Lin) of Marion, Arkansas, daughter Susan Simpson (Billy Griffin) of West Memphis, Arkansas and honorary son Luther Simpson of West Memphis, Arkansas. Ten grandchildren David Michael Foret (Winter), Tommy Joseph Foret, Tonya Lynn Foret Daniels, Heidi Houston Hughes (Jeff), James Michael Houston (Kelly), Jonathan Houston (Jaclyn), Brian Houston (Peggy), Amber Simpson Mays (Barry), Josephine Simpson Walls (Jason), Franklin Simpson (Jessi), honorary granddaughter Nikki Foret Barb'e (Mark), twenty-five great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will be following guidelines issued by the Arkansas Department of Health and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Social distancing of at least six feet must be practiced and all funeral attendees must provide and wear their own mask.
Such a beautiful sweet soul. Sister Houston set a great example for all of us and continuously showed her love for our Savior. She will greatly be missed.
She was the spiritual patriarch of her Houston family. What a privilege it was to be with her and loved by her.
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your precious Mother.
Dear Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Alene was a very kind and loving person and she will be missed very much.
I wish we could be there but our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Love our Aunt Alene. Enjoyed many hours listing to the “good old daysâ€.
We will miss greatly! Love you Alene.
However brief, we really enjoyed the time we spent with Mrs Houston. Cissy was so excited to have her at her birthday party. It was also very special of Mrs Houston to become Cissy's adopted Grandma. Cissy will cherish that forever.
There wasn't a sweeter or more gracious lady. Heaven got another angel and the world will be a little less brighter without you. Love and miss you.
Our hearts are broken. We already miss you and your smile. You’re the most selfless person we’ve ever known. A genuine angel on earth while you were here. You blessed the lives of everyone you met. We know you’re no longer in pain and back with the love of your life as happy as you can be. Until we meet again, Nannie. We love you so much
So sorry to hear of Alene's passing...Sorry we can't make the funeral due to health issues on our side. She was one fine lady who properly lived her life on earth. Our prayers are with the family. Never heard ANY comments of a negative nature about her...Just one fine lady....