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JENNIE CAROL MOREHEAD McALLEN - Jennie Carol Morehead, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on October 20, 2013. Jennie was born on August 8th, 1924 in Cranston, Rhode Island at the home of her parents Bambino and Lucia Ruggieri. Jennie came from a large Italian family and was one of 13 children. In July, 1945, Jennie married her husband James C. Morehead in Chicago, Illinois and later that year moved with her husband to South Texas where they made their home for these many years. Early in her career, Jennie was a Medical Secretary and Office Manager for a McAllen, Texas surgeon. She later worked at a local employment placement agency followed by her opening the AAA Personnel Agency. After working in the personnel field for over 45 years, Jennie retired in 2009 at age 84. In addition to working full time and raising her children, Jennie was passionate about her community and other civic affairs and made it her mission to serve the community for many years. She was one of the first women invited into the Rotary Club as well as being one of the first women to serve as President of the Pharr Chamber of Commerce. She was also a member of the Rotary Club, The United Way, the St. Jude's Church Altar Society, Pharr Crime Stoppers, the Organization of Women Executives and the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas where in 2009 she was named Mother of the Year. She also served on the McAllen Civic Center Board and the McAllen Traffic Commission Advisory Board. She and her husband Jim were very involved in the South Texas Junior Olympics, The American Athletic Union, The Elks, The American Legion, and the PSJA Quarterback Club. Jennie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, three infant children, one infant great grandchild, Jesse Cervantes, and her brothers Rudolph, Michael "Mike", Pasco "Pat", Peter and Rudolph "Rudy" Ruggieri, and by her sisters Mary Ruggieri, Mary Zuena and Rose Broski. Jennie is survived and deeply loved by; her son Robert "Bob" Morehead and his wife Sheri; her daughter Cindy Reinker and her husband Ron; her granddaughter Laura Cervantes and husband Christopher and their two children Michael and Matthew; her granddaughter Lisa Chakery and husband Malcom and their three children Molly, Kyle and Addison; her granddaughter Julie Valdez and husband Tony, and their two children Dylan and Natalie; her step grandsons Eric and Tayler Masten, and step granddaughters Kelly and Jo Reinker; her brother Guido Ruggieri; and her sisters Ann Manni, Rita Palombo and Dolores O'Brien and numerous nieces and nephews. Jennie will be lovingly remembered as someone deeply committed to her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, a loving and caring mother, and a proud and nurturing grandmother and great grandmother. Most importantly she will be remembered for her deep and abiding faith in Christ. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 25th at the St. John's Episcopal Church in McAllen at 10:30 am. Reception will follow immediately after in the Parish Hall. The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the St. John's Episcopal Church Food Pantry Program, McAllen, Texas, or The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic in McAllen, Texas. The family would like to thank all those who have loved Jennie through the years. Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries
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Published in The Monitor from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2013
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