Imogene (Jeannie) Makovy passed away peacefully on July 1st in the year of our Lord, 2026 at the age of 92. Jeannie was born in Hallsville, Texas to Edgar D. Dorsett (1907 - 1984) and Artie Dean Porter (1915 - 1981) on December 28, 1933.

Imogene’s father, Edgar (Grandaddy) and mother, Artie (Big Momma) married in 1930 and had 6 children: Wanda Lee Dorsett Roye, Edgar Allen Dorsett, Jerry Dorsett, Peggy Joyce Dorsett, Peyton Dorsett, Patricia Ann Dorsett Hudgeons. Edgar (Grandaddy) and Mary Joe (Mama Joe) married in 1946 and produced 2 more siblings: Billie E. Dorsett Weems and Della M. Dorsett Miller. After the divorce of her parents and from about the age of 13, Imogene lived with her father and step-mother. Imogene attended Brazosport High until her marriage to Lawrence (Larry) Samuel McGowan during her junior year at the age of 17.

Many stories were told about meeting the handsome airman at the Lake Jackson ‘Picture Show’. Larry had just completed his 4 year service at the Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio and migrated to the Lake Jackson area as was common for airmen at that time. After their wedding, Imogene and Larry wasted no time to start a family and produced six children: Javy Richard, James (Jimmy) Allen, twins Patrick & Patricia (who died shortly after birth), Lawrence (Larry) Samuel McGowan II, and Loretta (Lori) Jean McGowan Melton. They moved frequently in those early years and lived in Kentucky, Illinois, Oregon, and finally settled down for good in Houston, Texas in 1963. For many years they attended College Park Baptist Church. Imogene was mesmerized by the beauty of nature: beautiful sunsets, unique cloud formations, huge old trees, and animals. She enjoyed arts and crafts and displayed innate creativity throughout her lifetime. She loved scouring magazines for inspiration. She never met a stranger and loved to share her faith in Jesus with all who crossed her path. In 1973 Imogene and Larry divorced after 23 years of marriage. She later married Donnie Makovy and they experienced many adventurous years together until her passing.

Javy’s Childhood Memories:

Mother was playful with us kids when we were young. I remember sometimes during meals she would pretend to be a waitress serving us as in a restaurant. I remember at about the age of eight, she would tell me various Bible Stories. She told me about Jesus dying on the cross for my sins. Mother played records and listened to stories with me such as The Grasshopper and the Ant and Goldilocks and The Three Bears. These are special memories to me. As a teenager she noticed my love for music and interest in current bands and was able to get me in to see The Moody Blues in concert in Houston. At the age of 20, my mother helped get me my first Braille Bible. Looking back at my life, I can say that I always felt supported and loved by my mother.

James’ Childhood Memories:

My earliest memories of my mother are of her sitting and reading to me from the popular children’s books of the day. She was a great reader and reading was always an adventure because she went to great lengths to import personality into each character, giving them life and vitality!

Another memory I have is of Mom encouraging me to draw. She would get rolls of brown paper, cut them up into 3-4 ft. lengths, and tell me to draw whatever I wanted. I still remember being about 6-7 years old and the black bear that I drew for her and how she lavished praise on me and my drawing.

When I was old enough to understand the rules of Gin Rummy (~8) we would have marathon sessions (tournaments) starting early on Friday evenings and lasting until early Saturday mornings during the Summer. Of course Go Fish was also a part of the schedule. Mom was great fun, but she was also very competitive. She never let me win.

But the greatest memory I have of my mom at that tender age is of her constantly telling me about Jesus and how much He loved me! God used her to lay the groundwork of faith that would shortly thereafter (age 8) bring me to the point of believing in Jesus Christ for the safekeeping of my soul! She taught me what it meant to love Jesus and the importance of enduring faith in the good times and especially in the bad times. She also taught me the importance of being childlike and never losing the awe and wonder of a child and how important it is to see, and not merely notice, people.

Mom was always delighted with new discoveries in life and she imparted that to me too. If there are any lasting achievements in my life, it is all because of the lust for life I saw in my mom! So, thanks Mom! I carry you in my heart and you are with me always. I look forward to our reunion in Heaven and at the Bema Seat of Christ where your rewards will no doubt be more numerous than mine!

Lori’s Childhood Memories:

My young childhood memories of my mother are of her being full of joy and playfulness. I remember her greeting us each morning singing the best version of, ‘Good morning to you, good morning to you, we’re all in our places with sun shiny faces and this is the way to start a new day.’ She was the eternal optimist, even in the most dire circumstances.

She was a fun game player. At around the age of 4-5, I remember receiving the Sorry game as a gift. She eagerly played the game with Larry and me. When she landed on my space, she would ponder her decision while I squirmed but then she would let me off the hook and not send me back to Start! I can still remember the feeling of excitement, and relief!

On Valentine’s Day of my 4th grade year, she rode a kid-size bicycle to the school (2 miles) to bring me my valentine cards that I had forgotten at home. She displayed sacrificial love to the best of her ability.

Throughout the years, there were many conversations about her family of origin. She loved all 3 of her parents fiercely (her mother, her father, and her step-mother.) When speaking about childhood trauma, she never attributed blame. She adored her siblings and spoke highly of them throughout her life. She named her twins Patrick and Patricia after her younger sister Pat. At the age of five, she was profoundly affected by witnessing the accidental and traumatic death of her two year old baby sister, Peggy Joyce.

The most impactful memory of my mother is from around the age of 4-5 years old when she told me the story of God giving us His most precious gift, His son. Her explanation stirred me and gave me a desire to know and honor God. Although she struggled with cognitive and mental difficulties, it was important to her that her children knew the plan of salvation, that God loves us and provided a way for us to know Him through sacrificing His son.

Imogene is survived by her husband Donny Makovy; siblings: Peyton Dorsett, Billie Weems and Della Miller; her children: Javy, Jimmy and wife Sandra, Larry and wife Cheriol, and Lori; her grandchildren: Jennifer McGowan Chang and husband Jonathan, Rachael McGowan Miller, Joshua McGowan, Larry McGowan, Megan Bowman and husband Eric, Samuel Melton and Kimberly Melton. She has five treasured great-grandchildren: Jade and Jonathan Chang, Lyla, Eric and Colt Bowman.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in her honor to their local domestic violence organization.