Tommie Grace Mansfield LaMotta was born on Sept. 30, 1911, in Bandera,
Texas. She was the youngest daughter of Judge Andrew Lee Mansfield and
Matilda Dorow Mans-field.
After graduating from Bandera High School, she then attended and graduated
from Rice Institute, Houston, in 1934.
She married Joseph James LaMotta on June 30, 1938.
Mrs. LaMotta was a member of the First Texas Silver-Haired Legislature in
1986. She was a member of St. Philip Lutheran Church in Kenney, the Naomi
Circle, and the Kenney Agricultural Society.
As a member of the Telephone Pioneers, she made hundreds of ³Hug-a-Bears²
which were donated to hospitals, schools, an orphanage in Siberia, and many
other charitable organizations.
Tommie Grace died on May 21, 2005, at the age of 93.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her chilidren Nancy Lou Crabb and husband Joe of
Atascocita, Sue Anderson of Pasadena,  Chuck LaMotta and wife Karen of Sugar
Land; grandsons: Michael LaMotta and wife Stacy, Jay Crabb and wife Angela,
Kirk Anderson and wife Amy, John Crabb and wife Kimberly, Charlie Crabb and
wife Amanda, Ryan LaMotta, and Kyle LaMotta; granddaughter Liz Judge and
husband Leo;  great grandchildren Hannah, Ethan, and Benjamin Crabb, Jack
and Reagan Lee Crabb; several nephews and nieces and numerous friends.
Visitation will be 6:30 ­ 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at Memorial Oaks
Funeral Home in Houston. A family funeral service was Wednesday, May 25,
with Pastor Jenny Bohls and Sid Bohls officiating. Honorary pallbearers were
her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to the Tommie Grace LaMotta
Fondren Library Endowment Fund, Friends of Fondren Library, Rice University,
P.O. Box 1892, MS245, Houston, Texas 77251-1892.

Posted by Joy Neely