Jimmie Lee Radliff

As an avid reader of obituaries, Jimmie Lee (Grubbs) Radliff would alert the family when familiar folks, family, and famous folks had gone on to their next adventure. Now that Jimmie has transitioned to her new address in the great beyond, we are left to convey some highlights from a life well lived, a life filled with music, family, advocacy, and poetry. Born on a very hot day on the back porch of a farmhouse near McKinney, TX on July 31, 1930, Jimmie made a bold entrance as 9 pound baby. Her parents, Juanita A. Grubbs (Payne) and Thomas James Grubbs, were 18 years old and working as tenant farmers in the midst of the Great Depression. Jimmie enjoyed farm life as a young child thankfully remembering mostly the blessings of her early country life, but clearly there were tremendous hardships endured by her young parents during the era.
Jimmie's first dog was 'Boots' and legend has it that it was 'Boots' who taught Jimmie to walk. Soon the fields would call everyone to work and Jimmie had her own tiny sack to collect the cotton she picked. There were songs sung among the workers in the fields and Jimmie learned them all, singing the call and response verses as they worked row by row together. Storytelling and singing with family was an important part of their extended family gatherings. Jimmie particularly enjoyed her maternal grandfather Payne's storytelling and songs. Harmonies and emotions were woven together to express their strife, endurance, and joy. Music could also reflect the deep emotions, sorrows, longing, joyfulness, and the beauty Jimmie was witnessing around her.
A sister, Joan, was born when Jimmie was 6 years old. The responsibilities assigned to a six year old were staggering evenso the girls developed a very strong bond throughout their whole lives. World War II brought many changes and the Grubbs family moved from north Texas down to Houston where Jimmie's father would become an electrician. Living on the east end of Houston near the port, the family grew to include a set of twins, Tommy and Becky. All the Grubbs kids attended Milby High School. Juanita and her children sang together frequently, and the harmonies grew to include several parts. Jimmie's love for music took her to college to become a music teacher and she graduated from the University of Houston with her bachelors, and later her masters in music education. She went on to teach in the Houston/Pasadena area for almost 30 years.
Working several jobs in addition to teaching, Jimmie and Joan also sang in the Houston Chorale with the Houston Symphony, at church, and as a duo selling out performances in downtown Houston. Jimmie was also an early member of the Houston Folklore Society and sang in lots of concerts and many a hootenanny. Church life was busy accompanying services on the piano, teaching, planning events and attending the world conference of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (later the Community of Christ). Jimmie also helped select the land for the church's campground (Sionito) in Bandera, Texas. Her support of the camping program there spanned many decades.
Approaching thirty in the late 1950s as a single professional woman, Jimmie was involved in fighting for civil rights for all. The folk, blues and traditional music of the time created opportunities for integrated concerts, and she actively participated. Their group of friends and musicians broke down barriers in concerts and visited musicians in their home territory to hear stories and songs for upcoming concerts. Many advised her not to be so bold or daring because 'no man would want such a strong outspoken woman.' Undaunted, she continued to pursue life on her terms.
It was during this era of the late 1950s she met Alonzo Daniel (Dan) Radliff who became the true love of her life. Dan, a WWII Marine, union organizer, and electrician in Houston was very busy working and raising his three children, Dixie, Danny and Greg. Eventually Dan did ask Jimmie, the strong-willed outspoken woman, to be his wife with a proposal specifically asking 'Will you marry us?' Often she would recall the first meetings with the kids and how it was clear they loved their father and each other, and they knew how to have fun on a budget! The kids enjoyed becoming a part of Jimmie's extended family with even more grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins through the Payne and Grubbs families.
In 1962, Jimmie married Dan and the combined family began their very busy new life. In addition to family, work, church, camping trips, and folk music, she also managed a USO concert tour to Puerto Rico and Cuba in June of 1962. It was an interesting era for sure. She cut a record in 1963 at Gold Star/SugarHill Studios in Houston, but just as the record was completed, she found out a new Radliff was on the way. She sold records and gave some concerts, but the pregnancy nausea was 'epic' according to all who witnessed the era. Suffice to say the recording and touring career was cut short by the arrive of daughter Rhonda in 1964.
Family life proceeded through the 1960s and the world changed--mostly for the better, but there were still many protest songs to be sung, marches, political rallies and concerts. Now the family also had kids football games, school events, scout meetings, track meets, hymns to practice, and church services to plan. Before too long there were college visits, weddings and baby showers as the Radliff children became adults and created their own families. Stories of life were dispersed via the family Christmas letter each year. Most years Jimmie did not have the approval of her kids before sending out stories about their escapades and achievements. The brag books of kids' photos turned into photos of grandkids starting in 1973. The albums went on to chronicle the arrival of her grandchildren well into the 1990s, and now with many great-grandchildren-the most recent Radliff arriving in July of this year.
Throughout all her years Jimmie studied hymns of her own faith, and many other traditions. She was nurtured and challenged by words woven throughout the hymns. She gathered some songs for their poetic and inspiring lyrics, and others for the way the tunes evoked emotion or movement. There are stacks of hymnals and songbooks with a lifetime worth of notes – musical and lyrical. Even in the last few months she was still at work analyzing hymns and which scriptures or themes they supported best.
As a poet, Jimmie participated in several poetry organizations and competed for years in local and state competitions. She won many contests and was always happy to share a free trip to a state poetry contest with anyone willing to travel and listen to days of poetry. Days, yes, days of poetry.
After the death of her husband Dan in 1990, Jimmie wrote and published a book about him and her grieving process. The book is called "The Widow's Mite." She also wrote a book called "If you would know the poet " on a variety of topics, people and causes dear to her heart.
One common thread of conversation between Jimmie and Dan was related to attending funerals of their friends, family and work associates. They both agreed it was sad when those leading the service didn't know, or share about the real life and personality of the deceased. They noted 'life is messy' and 'people make mistakes,' and while memorial services should be respectful and mournful, people need to know and be reminded 'no one is as shiny and grand as they are made out to be in their obituary.' So, for a woman whose life was intertwined with music and words, she often was at a loss to safely manage her own emotions and words. Her body was conditioned to sing for 8 hours a day as an elementary school teacher, her voice had power and resonance. When she was frustrated and fearful in some way her words were biting and loud. Her traumas and triggers brought out a stubbornness only God could mitigate. This may true for many of us as we make our way through life. Our ability to use powerful words and melodies can be a means to cut down obstacles to equality. Yet, we can all be warned that the same communication tools also can wound those closest. A long life gives us all a chance to learn and gain perspective. Jimmie kept learning and adjusting, a sign she took her faith to heart and worked to be a faithful follower of Christ, continually making the effort to learn and grow, share love and grace, and continue the work towards peace.
Her work on earth is finished, she is with those she loved the most in a paradise of grace and love. No doubt she is singing and telling stories with all her kindred souls, free from the earthly limitations of human form.
Jimmie is preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws Emery and Rubie Radliff, husband Dan Radliff, sister Joan Scavelli (Ramon), brother Tom Grubbs, son Danny Radliff, and many dear friends and family. Her faithful dogs Boots, Bitsy, and Daisy have also awaited her arrival with treats.
She is survived by daughter Dixie Benyo (Andy), son Greg Radliff (Catherine), daughter Rhonda Radliff, and her grandchildren Rick Radliff (Meagan), Matthew Radliff, Melissa Radliff, Mary Starszak (Josh), Seth Radliff (Hannah), Adam Radliff (Meagan), Jared Radliff (Carrie), Joshua Radliff, Lili Radliff, and Victoria Radliff (Tony). Jimmie's great grandchildren are currently Christopher, Tyler, Nicolas, Emmett, Austin, Barron, Isaac, Addison, Arlo, Sarai, and Poppy.
Nephews and nieces, cousins, church community, and neighbors, she loved you all.
And Jimmie also is survived by the everso faithful and feisty Besty Beauty, Jimmie's final faithful dog.
Many thanks to the caretakers who have supported our family through the last few years. We literally couldn't have managed without you. Ken, you are a man among men. Thank you to Dixie, Greg and Catherine, Joanne, Tim and Daniel, Peggy, Tarshia, Jennifer, and everyone who kept mom safe and showed care and love to her always.