TAMMIE WHITEHEAD BACKUS

TAMMIE (GAY NELLE) WHITEHEAD BACKUS, passed away November 17, 2009 at the age of 62 in Houston. She was born in Cleburne, attended Brazosport High School, and received her nursing degree from Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.Tammie's early career was spent primarily in the moving industry, but she found her true calling by returning to college and becoming a registered nurse in 1992 at the age of 45. From there she was blessed in joining the outstanding medical staff at Texas Children's Hospital, working both in the PICU and later in the PACU. This caring and healing work clearly became an integral cornerstone in her rich and fulfilling life.She was preceded in death by her father, Harvey Whitehead of Angleton. Survivors include her husband Kenneth Backus of Houston, her beloved little dogs Pookie and Tiger, mother Martha Whitehead Johnson and husband Al of Anacoca, Louisiana, sister Saundra Jain and husband Rakesh of Lake Jackson, brother Willie Whitehead and wife Vicki of Lake Jackson, sister Pam McKey and husband Severo Garcia of Clute, daughter Kimberly Genoway of Houston, granddaughter Kristen Genoway of Houston, granddaughters Allison Genoway and Elizabeth Genoway of Angleton, and Joan Smith, Billie Joe Hudgins, Tom and Beth Cannon, all of Cleburne.Special thanks to her newest best friend / caregiver Carolyn Palmer of Visiting Angels, who brought so much fun, comfort and brightness to both Kenny & Tammie during this final chapter of her wonderful life.A Life Celebration Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 Hwy 332, Lake Jackson, TX, 979-415-2600.For those desiring and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Tammie's name be directed to Texas Children's Hospital, Attn: Melanie Howells or Kimberly Harris @ 832-824-6806.