The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 71

Mrs. Mary Jane Briscoe.

As a descendant of revolutionary sires, she became affiliated with
the first society of Daughters of the Revolution organized in Texas,
with Mrs. French state regent at San Antonio. In her own home,
the two chapters, Robert E. Lee, and Oran M. Roberts, of the
United Daughters of the Confederacy endowed her with honorary
membership.
As a charter member and first treasurer of the Ladies' Reading
Club of Houston, the first club in the State to publish its con-
stitution and by laws, and issue yearly reports, she was a pioneer
club woman. Her historical sketches, character drawings, and
reminiscences, were usually marked by a vein of quiet humor which
made them most acceptable to the literary program of the Club.
These organizations were unfailing in delicate attentions to her
during her years of invalidism, and when the end came, they vied
with each other and with other living friends in sweet tribute to her
memory. Mrs. Briscoe died at her home in Houston, Texas,
-March 8, 1903. The last sad rites of the church were beautifully
blended with features strongly illustrative of her patriotic charac-
ter. As the cadets of St. Andrew, clad in gray uniforms, and bear-
ing the Texas flag escorted her body to Glenwood cemetery, and
the closing phrases of the funeral ritual so beautifully prophetic of
eternal life were spoken by Rev. H. D. Aves, her pastor, the sweet
floral emblems strove to rob the grave of its gloom, and one seemed
to hear the words, "Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death
of His Saints."
Endowed with a strong character which impressed itself upon all
who came into her life, charity for the faults of others, and patience
under suffering were traits never absent from her personality. Her
strong mother love consecrated the long years of her widowhood to
the interests of her children, while by example and precept she also
inculcated love of God and country.