(December 5, 1941 – January 17, 2024)
Jamie was a beloved mother of 2 children and wife of her high school sweetheart. She was a joy to all who knew her, a strong Christian woman and a pioneer in Autism parenting. Jamie Sue Templeton, 82, died of Parkinson’s complications in Sachse, TX on January 17, 2024.
She was born in Dublin, TX on December 5, 1941, to James Arthur and Jo Rae Compton, whom she admired and loved dearly until and after their own passing. She grew up on a dairy farm in Bunyan, TX in Erath County and loved to draw, sew and sing when she was young. She was a very talented artist and seamstress. She designed clothing for the famous Dublin Rodeo when she was young. She had her artwork published in Archie Comics for the Katy Keene character when she was only 12 years old. The same designs were re-printed in the 1980’s as a highlight of great past work. She also produced a vocal album with her friends in High School with their singing group, the Hi-Fi’s. She had a beautiful alto voice. Jamie attended Dublin schools before studying at Tarleton College and finishing her bachelor’s degree at Abilene Christian College in 1963. She met her future husband, Joe Templeton, when they were 14 and 15 years old. They were engaged by her senior year of high school and married on June 1, 1963. The couple moved to Corvallis, Oregon so that Joe could attend Oregon State University for his PhD in Genetics. Jamie worked at the University to support them while he completed his degree. They made many lifelong friends during their time in Oregon. Both of their children were born in Portland, Oregon after Joe began working at the University of Oregon Medical School. They moved back to Texas 2 weeks after the birth of their daughter in 1975, and lived in Houston, TX for 4 years and then College Station, TX from 1979 until 2019. After their first child was born in 1971, Jamie became a full-time stay-at-home mom. She remained so during the raising of their 2 children with only a brief stint delivering the paper so she could have something to do outside of the house in the 1990’s and 2000’s. She won carrier of the year, always the hardest worker anywhere she was. She volunteered regularly at her children’s schools, especially in the library, or anywhere else she was needed. She was on the PTA and very active in both of her children’s lives. Her son is severely autistic, so her challenges as a mother were very intense. She handled it with grace, even when it was completely overwhelming. She kept her son at home until she had to move into assisted in living in March of 2020. Even with the stress of being responsible for her special needs son, she was very present for her daughter and active in her life as well. Without any assistance, or help she blazed the trail for parenting a special needs child with severe behavioral issues. She was a faithful Christian and member of the Church of Christ her entire life. She read the Bible daily and had an incredible faith that was apparent in her presence. She lost her dear husband in 2009 but kept up her spirits and remained active with her friends and family.
Jamie met the love of their life, Joe Templeton, in 1956. Her neighbor was Joe’s aunt, and she took them to Church together as an introduction. The two of them were instant sweethearts. She was the giggle to his jokes, the perfect match. They were deeply faithful to each other and supported and loved one another until his passing in 2009.
She is survived by her 2 children, John Templeton of Farmersville, TX, Rachel (Templeton) Dumas of Lavon, TX, as well as her son-in-law Justin Dumas, granddaughter, Jamie Dumas of Lavon, TX and sister Vicki Henson of Hurst, TX.
Jamie will always be remembered for her kind spirit, loving nature, beautiful laugh and the way that she loved everyone so well. She took care of the myriad of staff that helped take care of her son John as if they were her own. She loved all of the bonus children she had.
She will be buried on January 20th, at 11 am, at Bunyan Cemetery, with a lunch following at the Patrick Street Church of Christ in Dublin. Donations to the “John Marshall Templeton Special Needs Trust” (non-charitable) mailed at LPL Financial at 1055 LPL Way Fort Mill, SC 29715. Acct # 4323-8073 would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.
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