The Reverend Misty Elizabeth Lee Closs died on July 19, 2011. Misty died at home surrounded by her family, her beloved dogs, Wendybear and Buddybear and her life-long friend, Judith.

Misty was born on Sept. 18, 1931 in Bryan, Texas to Wilma and Morgan G. Closs. In 1941 the family moved to Port Neches where her parents ran a grocery store for many years.

Misty was raised in the Methodist Church. While teaching at the University of Houston, she became Roman Catholic in order to devote her life to serving others. She spent nearly ten years as a Sister of the Good Shepherd working with delinquent girls and young women.

Misty was a three-time graduate of TWU, earning her BS, MA and PhD there. Misty taught at the University of Houston, University of Puerto Rico, University of Denver and Kansas State University. She was also a consultant for the national YWCA for several years.

In 1984 Misty began teaching high school math at the Dallas Arts Magnet – Booker T Washington High School. During this time Misty began her search for a spiritual home and became Episcopalian. She assisted with the Hispanic congregation at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Dallas for many years. During this time her spiritual mentors encouraged her to answer her calling to the sacramental ministry. In 1992 she retired from teaching and enrolled in the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. The diocese of Puerto Rico accepted her in1996 as a candidate for ordination to the priesthood. She was ordained in 1998 and served as a volunteer missionary on the island of Vieques for three years.

When she returned from Puerto Rico in 2000, Misty became the court-appointed guardian for fourteen adults with profound mental retardation. Over the next ten years she became a strong advocate for them. Her greatest achievement was to be able to move 12 of 14 individuals out of a large institution into small community group homes.

Throughout her life, Misty was an advocate for "the least, the unseen, the forgotten". Misty touched the lives of so many and she leaves behind many close friends. She inspired all who knew her to achieve their dreams and "pay it forward".

Misty is preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and Morgan Closs, her sister Carolyn Henderson, and dearly loved niece and name-sake Carolyn Elizabeth Clevenger, as well as her dear friend Mary Lou Squires.

She is survived by her brother Morgan Closs and his wife Gail of Kent, OH; her brother Frank and his wife Anne of Coldspring, TX; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Misty is also survived by her close friend and companion, Judith Halaszyn, and her beloved "puppies" Wendybear and Buddybear.

Her family and friends want to thank the caring nurses and staff of Season's Hospice and Compassionate Care, especially her nurses, Dee and Celina.

Misty requested to be cremated with a private memorial at a later date.