If Pearl “Hostess With the Mostest” Mesta and Mother Teresa had had a brainchild, she would have been Faye Briggs. The little widow with the white hair, twinkling eyes and Texas-sized smile opened more than her checkbook for area nonprofits. She opened her home to help them.
While Faye would claim that she was inspired by God, she also understood the challenges facing those in need. As a young single mother raising two youngsters — Pebble Montgomery (McGehee) and Mike Montgomery — Faye held a job not just to feed her children, but to learn how to make a better life for her family.
It paid off. She learned the oil business and in doing so met and married the love of her life, Hugh M. Briggs, in 1979. Their life together would be short-lived, though, as Hugh died in 1993 at the age of 69.
Following Hugh’s death, Faye realized that she had a calling. It was to build a house to do God’s work. For more than a dozen years, her two-story mansion with its beautifully manicured grounds featuring Brad Oldham statuary and a fountain-fed pool was the setting for countless events benefiting every type of nonprofit including children, the LGBTQ community, health, education, religion, the arts and animals. The emphasis was always on the organization and its needs, never on the hostess.
But it wasn’t all fundraising. There were holiday gatherings with the kitchen’s long island filled with platters of food for family feasting. There were quiet evenings of just sitting around the kitchen table with a couple of friends to chew the fat of the day. There were sunsets on the back porch enjoying the company of her dear friend Ralph Gorman until his death in 2017. In every case, Faye’s graciousness and laughter set the mood.
Why, it was a wonder that she even had a doorbell. The front door always seemed to be open to all.
In the past year, though, the estate’s circular driveway has not been filled with cars lining up for the valets. Catering trucks have not been parked in the back driveway. The festive fundraisers have not been underway. It was not because of oil prices being down, or Faye’s tiring of being kind-hearted. Rather, her fragile body was wearing down. At least that’s what her doctors told her. But somehow one can’t help but think that the little woman doing God’s work was preparing for her next assignment.
Last night, Faye took on her new role as she fell asleep one last time in the house that she and God built.
Jocelyn White says
I adored Faye from the moment I met her. She was as gracious and funny, downhome and elegant, caring and comforting as they come. We used to laugh that we were “kin” as my mom’s maiden name was Briggs. At one of those quiet dinner parties with just a few friends, Faye and I had a homemade cornbread bake-off, using our grandmothers’ recipes. They were very similar but Faye’s iron pan had more sizzle, just like her! Faye won the contest but both batches were gone before the meal barely began. Faye’s favorite meal was home/cooking. Just like mine.
Like me, Faye loved books and allowed me to come see and thumb through the tomes in her personal library. She had wide-ranging interests and books on every subject and loved to talk about them. No matter the age difference, Faye always made me (anyone and everyone!) feel like the most important person in the room. She could talk but she was also a stellar listener.
I did a story on her home and how she built it for charity for “Designing Texas.” It remains one of my favorites.
Faye embraced life and there were very few things she hated. One of those was gossip. I remember hearing about her rising to my defense when someone made the mistake about sharing with Faye some rather nasty and untrue “gossip” about me. She simply wouldn’t hear it. I wish I could be that good!
Faye loved parties and to party. She was really not an early-riser. Faye did love sunsets, however. Today she saw the sunrise (and set) with her Maker. I’m sure they had a nice long chat as she enjoyed the view.
She will be much missed!
I’m sure she can’t wait to tell us all about it.
Carol Seay says
Thank you for your lovely tribute of a very special lady. I will cherish our friendship, always.
Lida taylor says
I adored Faye as did many. She will be missed by all and know she is in a better place. She was and is an angel
Dee Simmons says
January 22, 2019 Faye Briggs woke up in Glory and found it to be Heaven.
We woke up and found our lives would never be the same.
The best way for all her family and friends to navigate through this time is to keep
remembering what a rare gift we shared. I will never forget the conversations Faye
and I shared about her faith. Not everyone’s table in life gets blessed with such a beautiful bouquet of memories.
Yes, I think of precious Faye stepping on shore and finding it Heaven. Of grasping a
hand and finding it God’s. Of breathing new air and finding it celestial, of waking up in glory and finding it home.
Katherine Phillips says
Amen! Dee thank you for sharing such a beautiful touching thought honoring this special lady!
Mary Tullie Critcher says
Special Lady that I was privileged to know. She will be missed by so many.
patty harrison says
Faye came into my life when I needed re-affirmation of my faith in the the Lord. I helped my dear friend Philip, with producing her documentary. We spent many days shooting and I was bathed in her love, light, faith and her wicked sense of humor. I loved her so much! I knew it was where God meant me to be.
Over the years I would visit her regularly, bringing an appetizer to share with her nightly scotch and water. My husband and I also enjoyed many of Philip’s Sunday night suppers with her and close family and friends. She had so many wonderful friends! We both felt blessed to be counted among them.
She was there for me again when planning our daughter’s wedding. We found out in March that our home renovation…where we were to host the wedding…would not be finished in time. She graciously allowed us to have the wedding at her beautiful home. We were overwhelmed with gratitude.
But that was Faye. Always there for a person in need. I’m sure she is hobnobbing with Jesus right now…possibly with the best Scotch in the universe. I will miss her so much, but I know she is in a much better place. I am so blessed to have had her, and her sweet family, in my life.
Emile Pendarvis Blaine says
Mrs. Faye Briggs was a wonderful woman with a giving heart! We were so proud to have her each year at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show. She was a special supporter in the year that Carmaleta Whiteley was the Chairman.
We would like to send our sincere condolences to her friends and family during this time. Please know that we are with you in spirit.
Abi Erickson says
I was honored to call her friend, my confidant and we laughed so much together during our calls and chats around the kitchen table. She helped me through such a difficult time when I lost my father suddenly and Faye will be missed.
Michelle Mew says
Dearest Faye
Thank you for being generous you. I will treasure the conversations we had at your breakfast table. So many of us will miss you in Dallas but we also know you are home.