A devoted follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Margaret (“Missy”) Anne Jones Bandy passed away on July 24, 2017 at 73 years of age.

Margaret was born on December 12, 1943, to Elizabeth and Harry Jones in Houston, Texas. Shortly after her birth, Margaret’s family moved to Ardsley on Hudson, NY, then to Taylor, TX, Dallas, TX, and to Philadelphia, PA, where her family lived until 1957. During Margaret’s 8th grade year, her family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Margaret attended and graduated from Highland Park High School.  

Margaret entered the University of Texas at Austin in the Plan II program in 1961. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1965. Like her mother before her, Margaret became an enthusiastic member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She enjoyed all aspects of sorority life, especially the close friendships she made. In the years following graduation from UT, Margaret was a loyal and active member of the Tri Delta Alumnae, serving as President from 1987-88.

Following graduation, Margaret moved to Houston to begin her career as an English teacher at Memorial Junior High. Margaret had a gift for teaching and a passion for the English language. This passion carried her through all of her roles, both volunteer and professional. Margaret continued her teaching career as an English teacher at Spring Woods High School, a Bible teacher at Grace Bible School, and a teacher of Period Furniture at The Art Institute of Houston. 

Friends set Margaret up on a blind date with fellow UT grad, Ronald Davis Bandy, in 1967, and the two were married on November 30, 1968. The couple welcomed their son, Ronald Griffith (“Griff”), in 1969; four years later, their first daughter, Margaret Elaine; and six years later, their second daughter, Elizabeth Wynne. Margaret was a loving, dedicated, supportive and involved wife and mother, providing support from the sidelines at sports events, playing an active role in the PTA, being a travel companion to expand their experiences and always guiding them to be their best.

In every city Margaret lived, the deep and true friendships she made proved to be lifelong touchstones for her. She and Ronald kept in close contact with dear friends from Philadelphia, Dallas and Austin, often traveling to celebrate milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and children’s weddings.  Margaret was like a magnet attracting friends; she was a safe haven for all who knew her. Her Houston friends, both those she met at UT and those she met along the way, were more like sisters and walked hand in hand with Margaret with grace and dignity to the end.

Throughout their married life, Margaret and Ronald enjoyed spending time with family and friends in the Texas Hill Country and Lake McQueeney. 

For 50 years Margaret and Ronald have been faithful and supportive members of St Luke’s United Methodist Church where they have seen all three of their children married and six of their nine grandchildren baptized. Over the years Margaret served on the Houston Project and was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Goodwill Sunday school class. 

An avid anglophile, Margaret enjoyed being a docent at Bayou Bend with its amazing collection of fine and decorative arts. She was a long-time member of the River Oaks Garden Club.

The ultimate fight and passion of Margaret’s life, Alzheimer’s Disease, began in the 1980’s when she became a caregiver to her mother, who lived with the disease for 18 years. Recognizing the unique social, mental and physical needs of a person living with this disease, she and Dean Robinson, Minister and Deacon at St Luke’s United Methodist Church, founded The Seniors Place, an adult daycare center for those with mild to moderate dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Seniors Place, re-named Amazing Place in 2009, was the first of its kind, offering respite for caregivers and a safe, nurturing place for those living with the disease. In its second year of operation, Margaret became the Executive Director and served in this capacity until 2006 when she recognized in herself the early signs of dementia and bravely decided to retire. Margaret faced this reality with remarkable courage and continued to serve on the Board of Amazing Place the rest of her life. 

Margaret is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 49 years, Ronald; her adoring children, Griff and his wife Lisa, Margo and her husband Curt, Elizabeth and her husband Ermal; her precious grandchildren Davis, Chap, Philip, Lila, Jack, Sarah, Leah, and Joseph; her older brother Harry and his wife Vikki, nieces Emily and Elizabeth and their spouses and children; her sister-in-law Carole McCalib and her husband David, and their son, Michael. She is preceded in death by her dear parents, Elizabeth and Harry Jones, her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Marcus Greer and her Aunt Kate and Uncle John Griffith.

A memorial service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held in the Sanctuary at St Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, at 11:00 in the morning of Monday, July 31, 2017. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed with gratitude to Amazing Place (3735 Drexel Dr., Houston, TX 77027) or St Luke’s United Methodist Church.

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