Gail Grissom Greene

(July 9, 1936 – November 25, 2023)

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, cousin, and friend Gail passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 at the age of 87.

Gail was born in Dallas, Texas to Mollie Elizabeth Brand and Jack Kendall Grissom on July 9, 1936. She was an only child but was extremely close with many family members from the Brand and Sachse line- she was surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles most of the time.

Gail was a graduate from the Garland High School class of 1954. She graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Home Economics, she was in Tridelt sorority and to this day has many lifelong friends.

She began her career as a Junior High Homemaking Teacher, Home Economist Support for Dallas Power & Light – tested recipes for Helen Corbitt (cookbook author) who ran the Neiman Marcus zodiac room. This evolved into her lifelong love of food styling. Her passion and lifelong career were as the first food stylist in Dallas – working on television commercials, catalogs, recipe development and other print materials. Professional food stylists are artists with a culinary flair.

Some examples of her work:

El Fenix and El Chico – menu photos, TGI Fridays, Catfish Farms of America, Pure Cane Sugar, Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogs, William Sonoma Catalogs, Media Works
American Heart Association- tested recipes for and worked on their cookbooks
Texas State Fair Program – Pecan Growers of Texas
Frito Lay- recipe testing and traveling to NYC for commercials.
Whataburger, Dairy Queen (Patented exactly what the DQ dude would look like), Taco Cabana, Jimmy Dean, Jell-O

Through this career – where Gail did recipe testing and commercials for Southland, she was able to cater board meetings for Southland Corporation (7-11 advertising group) where she was introduced to her husband Howard Greene- Vice President of Advertising. Once they married, they enjoyed travel all over the world as he supported advertising for 7-11 globally.

Her family grew from 2 children to 6 overnight. She and Howard loved traveling all over the world – making friends from Mexico to Sweden. They celebrated many summer birthdays- so one big cake to celebrate. She enjoyed her numerous grandchildren (10) and great grandchildren (6) at home, at their events, on holidays. Time well spent she said.

Gail and Howard loved to entertain – with both lavish and casual events in their home – depending on the day and crowd. Hosting holidays, birthdays, or any time to spend with family.

She was a member of the Les Dames Escoffier- Women in Food and Wine and Hospitality- International and Local organization – where an invitation was required to join. Gail served as president in 1997. She had a monthly meeting of the Yaya's who have been friends for over 50 years- who meet for laughter and lunch. She enjoyed various book clubs, Northwood Women's club, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, gourmet luncheons, and enjoyed any time spent with family and friends.

She was a lifelong member of the First Christian of Garland where you will find many from the Brand and Sachse line still in attendance. Her Sunday school and church were at the center of her life. She was a devoted Christian woman who wanted all to know she knew where her faith came from.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Howard Greene, her first husband Jim Ligon, son Howard Greene Jr. and grandson Corbin Cass. She is survived by children Brian Ligon (Cherri), Jennifer Cass, Pam Keenan (Bob), Libby McGee (Ron), Diane Walton (Don), 9 grandchildren: Brian Keenan, Grady McGee, Ben McGee, Carter Cass, Cullen Cass (Caroline), Melissa Williams, Josh Williams (Ebony), Jessica Walton (Cole Presnell), and Lindsey Becker, and 6 great-grandchildren: Marko Turing, Sage Chick, Daphne-Jane Chick, Wade Williams, Henry Presnell and Vivienne Presnell.

Services are as follows:

Visitation: Thursday November 30, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Williams Funeral Directors, 1600 S. Garland Ave., Garland, TX 75040

Funeral Service : Friday December 1, 2023 at 1:00 pm at First Christian Church Garland, 115 S Glenbrook Dr., Garland, TX 75040

Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243

Celebration of Gail will be held at Twin Rivers Senior Living, S. Glenville Drive, Richardson, TX 75081 around 3:00 pm following the burial.

Please join us in toasting this life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gail's honor to : https://www.macular.org/want-to-help/opening-letter

We would like to thank the ICU doctors and nurses from Methodist Richardson who treated Gail with such respect and care in her last days.