Colleen Robison Manley Ross

Colleen Robison Manley Ross was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1950 in Houston, Texas and passed away on October 26, 2022 in College Station, Texas. During her 72 years on this Earth, she was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, nurse, and teacher. She lived her life caring for others, and she will be greatly missed.

Colleen inherited a passion for traveling from her father, Ronald Manley, a merchant marine, and she traveled the globe extensively throughout her life. Her love of learning and quick intelligence came from her mother, Sybil Jean Manley, who worked for the Pasadena Citizen Newspaper and Gulf Oil Company when Colleen was growing up in Pasadena, Texas with her two siblings, Kathleen and Scott. She graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1968 and worked at Sears to put herself through school at the University of Houston, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in History in 1972. Colleen lived in New York City for a few years while she worked as a stewardess for American Airlines before returning to Houston for nursing school. There, working at the VA Hospital, she met James Nathan Ross, of Belton, Texas. He was her soul-mate and became her husband of over 45-years. A dentist and a nurse, together they built a purposeful life with their two children, Jason and Lauren, in Brenham and in College Station. Colleen worked as a nurse for several years before teaching in the nursing school at Blinn College in Brenham for over a decade. She “retired” by working in her husband’s dental offices, before truly retiring when her grandchildren were born.

Colleen was a passionate person, living her life with strength and a single-minded determination that earned her the nick-name, “The Air Force.” Her loved-ones knew to call in The Air Force whenever there was a problem to solve or mission to accomplish. She loved spending time in nature, savoring the healing waters of the Frio River in Texas and at waterfalls in Arkansas. She also loved hiking and skiing in the Rockies. She was fascinated by alternative medicines and spirituality, and has left behind her collection of unique crystals from all over the world. She loved to work in her garden, mow her lawn, and rest under her oak trees. She made the best iced tea and pecan pies, and she was a stellar seamstress, having learned to sew from her grandmother as a child. 

Her life was dedicated to the service of others. Even her last years were spent selflessly caring for her husband with dementia, knowing that no one could provide the same loving care that she could. She leaves this world having made a permanent imprint of love and service, and her life stands as a model to inspire others to live with determination and passion.

She was predeceased by her younger brother Scott Manley. She is survived by her husband, James Ross, her children, Jason Ross and Lauren Ross Hulphers, their spouses Lori Ross and Ivan Hulphers, her grandchildren, Sonja Hulphers, Ruben Hulphers, Joseph Benn and Noah Benn, and her sister Kathleen Brennan. She also remains close to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. 

Services will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home on Friday, November 4th with Visitation at 1:00 and Funeral Service at 2:00. Interment will be at Post Oak Cemetery in Oglesby, Texas at 12:00 on Saturday, November 5th. In lieu of flowers, please honor Colleen’s memory by planting a tree or donating to The National Audubon Society or The Sierra Club.