Imogene "Jean" Lucy Barrow Isley

July 17, 2002

© Amarillo Globe News

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Imogene "Jean" Lucy Barrow Isley, 79, died Monday, July 15, 2002.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Conway and the Rev. Phil Mercado officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.

Mrs. Isley joined her late husband, Melvin E. Isley, in receiving numerous awards and recognition for contributions to area higher education and non- profit organizations.

She and her husband were contributors to West Texas A&M University. Their support included membership in Old Main Society and President's Circle, and support of the Distinguished Lecture Series. In 2001, she made a charitable gift to dedicate the Buffalo Terrace at WTAMU as a memorial gift to her husband.

She contributed to the arts, including helping to design and make by hand the costumes for Amarillo's first performance of "The Nutcracker." She supported the development of the Lone Star Ballet.

Her volunteer work included volunteering with the High Plains Epilepsy Association and work for suicide prevention. She joined her husband in receiving a Golden Nail Award in 1994 from the Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee for financial support from the arts.

She was born in 1923 and graduated from Canute High School in 1942. She married Melvin E. Isley in 1943 at Elk City, Okla. During her husband's service during World War II, she moved to Dallas where she worked for Zales Jewelry and its founder, Mr. Zales, in his first jewelry store in Dallas.

She then moved with her husband to Amarillo in the 1940s, where she was a homemaker. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, for which she served as Chapter Sweetheart for a year. She attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the Sun Porch Class.

She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 8, 2000.

Survivors include a son, R. Michael Isley of Amarillo; and a brother, Jackie Barrow of Amarillo.

The family suggests memorials be to WTAMU, Melvin, Jean and Mike Isley Leadership Scholarship Fund, Canyon, TX 79016.

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