Marcella (Balch) West-Weston

Marcella (Balch) West-Weston, 89, of La Grange (formerly of Houston), passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. Marcella was born in Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 1, 1926, the daughter of F. Harry Balch and Marcella (Wishon) Balch. She married T.W. Tibby Weston on July 4, 1986. Marcella was Founder and President of Jim West & Co. Realtors from 1964 – 1980, the largest residential real estate firm in Houston during the 1970s. Upon her sale of the company, she helped develop Bayou Bend Towers as well as other projects around the city. As a prominent member of the Houston Board of Realtors, she had a major role in developing the Code of Ethics for the profession. Upon her formal retirement in 1986, she and T.W. moved to their favorite place in the world, their ranch in Fayetteville. At her Hoot Owl Hill Ranch in Fayetteville, Marcy enjoyed horse breeding and racing. She traveled the world attending horse races, while racing her own horses throughout Texas and in the All American Futurity in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She is survived by husband, T. W. Tibby Weston of La Grange; daughter, Marcella West Beard and husband, David Beard, of Fayetteville; son, Scott B. West and wife, Laurence Dempsey, of Houston; grandchildren: Kelly C. Kurtz- Reza and husband, Gabriel; R. Wesley Kurtz and wife, Andrea; Zachary B. West and fiancé, Linda Cummins; and Alexa Rae West; and Brenda Rincon. Great grandchildren: Elliot Reza; extended family: Pete W. Weston and wife, Kathy; Jim Weston and wife, Frances; and Donald Weston; extended grandsons: Max C. Weston; Sam C. Weston; Mike Weston and wife, Jill; Ryan Weston and wife, Eva; extended great grandsons: Hunter, Tyler, Charles and Jack Weston. She was preceded in death by her parents and aunt, Margery Lewis. Memorial services will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive in Houston at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. The family wants to recognize and thank their grand daughter Brenda Rincon for her devoted, loving care of Marcy during her illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brazos Valley Hospice, 1048 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, Texas 78945, or www.hospicebrazosvalley.org. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.