Jane Wheat Parks

Jane Wheat Parks passed away peacefully in Houston on April 24, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Mama Jane, as she was affectionately known, touched the lives of many with her warm, jovial nature and unwavering love for others, always sharing God's love in everything she did. Throughout her illness, she maintained her cheerful disposition, and she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and caregivers.
Jane was born on October 10, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas, to Nelle Chapman and Daniel Patrick Wheat. She graduated from Beaumont High School and Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. A proud member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Jane was also actively involved in the Beaumont "Sewing Club" throughout her adult life.
Jane spent most of her life in Houston. She began her career as an elementary school teacher, then worked with the Pan American Zebu Association. Later, she joined Cogen Technologies, a company owned by the McNair family. During her time there, she was proud to be part of the team that helped bring the NFL back to Houston with the formation of the Houston Texans. Jane became an avid fan of the Texans, and she always spoke fondly of her time on the McNair team. She later returned to teaching, this time at Chapelwood School for Young Children, where she had a lasting impact on many young lives.
Above all, Jane's greatest joy was her family. She was devoted to her children, Julie and Chap, and gave them a nurturing and supportive upbringing. She was especially cherished as "Mama Jane" by her grandchildren Katelyn, Courtney, Austin, Warren and Bill. Her Galveston beach house held countless memories for her family, from beach cart rides and strolls along the shore with her dogs to the simple joys of playing in the surf. Jane's cooking was legendary, and her family fondly recalls her famous chili, fried shrimp, gumbo, shrimp creole, fried chicken, 7-Up pound cake, and sour cream chocolate cake. And, of course, she never missed an opportunity to share a glass of wine with loved ones on her beach house deck.
A lifelong lover of the beach, Jane spent much of her childhood enjoying the coastal homes her parents had, and she fulfilled her dream of owning her own beach house when she purchased a home in Pirates Beach, Galveston, in 2004. In 2015 she moved there full time and enjoyed five wonderful years living at the beach before moving back to Houston following her Alzheimer's diagnosis. Jane made many dear friends in Galveston, and she was often seen riding her yellow and pink bicycle along the beach, her straw hat perched atop her head.
It would be impossible to overstate Jane's love for dogs. Over the years, she shared her home with many furry companions, including Bud, Moose, Calvin, Josie, Sissy, Rosie, Ginger Rose, Jellybean, Shuggie, Rodney, Mitzy, and others. Jane also had a remarkable green thumb. Her gardens in both Houston and Galveston flourished with vibrant, colorful flowers, and she spent countless hours tending to them, brightening her neighborhoods in the process.
Jane is survived by her daughter Julie Treadwell and her husband Brett, her son Chap Jacobson and his wife Kathy, and her five grandchildren-Katelyn, Courtney, and Austin Treadwell, and Warren and William Jacobson. She shared Julie and Chap with Ken Jacobson, her former husband. Jane is also survived by her twin sister Ann Wheat and older sister Lettie Wheat Goehringer and her husband Warren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bro Parks, her parents, and her brother, Danny Wheat.
We take comfort in knowing that Jane is now in a better place, walking the beach once more with her beloved dogs, and cultivating beautiful flowers in God's garden.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Abbey at Westminster Plaza and Allstar Hospice for the compassionate care they provided Jane in her final years.
A celebration of Jane's life will be held on May 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapelwood UMC, located at 11140 Greenbay Street, Houston, TX 77024, with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Galveston Island Humane Society, a cause that was dear to Jane's heart.
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