Philip Bailey
Although born in Oklahoma City, Philip Bailey spent most of his childhood through college years in Abilene, Texas, where he graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1970 with a degree in Bible and a minor in Business.

Philip married Gaye Waters, of Harlingen, Texas, in 1975. They have three children: Kimber Bailey Scott and her husband, Ryan, who are the Children’s Coordinators for their congregation in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Caleb Bailey, who is active in Memorial’s Young Professionals group; and Kenzie Lane Wilson and her husband, Danny, who are attending Abilene Christian.

Philip is an executive consultant working with executives on their personality and effectiveness. He teaches Bible classes for teens and adults; preaches; counsels; and enjoys evangelism, encouragement, and mentoring.  Personal interests include gardening, wilderness trekking, woodworking, and reading.

Gaye enjoys teaching both children and ladies classes, is an excellent chef, and provides a hospitable home.  She quietly counsels and mentors those who are growing in Christ and those in need and/or dealing with crisis.

Philip and Gaye have worked with teens and their parents for more than 30 years. They also work with couples to strengthen their marriages. They have done extensive traveling in the United States and throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand, both working with missionaries and for pleasure.

Bill Brackett
Bill Brackett grew up on a farm in Cahutta, Georgia. After high school, he served with the United States Navy amphibian forces from 1943-1946, with service at Normandy; Okinawa, Japan; and the Philippines. After his naval service, Bill received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Chattanooga in 1950. From 1950-1996, he worked in research, product development, market development, and sales, with a focus on the pulp/paper, petroleum chemical, and rail car markets.

Bill was raised a Baptist, but he met Jeanie, his future wife and a member of the Church of Christ, in 1948. After additional Bible study, Bill was baptized into the church in 1952. The Bracketts, who married in 1949, have three children: Regina Hargrove, who is a member at the West Houston Church of Christ; Patti Gajdosik, who is a member of the Church of Christ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and William Moses Brackett, Jr. (“Chip”), who is a member of the Church of Christ in Orlando, Florida.

Bill has served churches in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas in a variety of roles: preacher, Bible class teacher, deacon, and elder. The Bracketts came to Memorial in 1967, and Bill has taught Bible classes for both high school students and young adults/families at Memorial. Bill has served as an elder at Memorial since 1996.

Frank Devine
Frank Devine was born in Fort Worth, but he has called Houston home since moving here when he was in the third grade. Frank spent his high school years at Westchester High School, where he began dating his future wife and much better half, Jeannine. After high school, Frank received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University.

Frank returned to Houston and married Jeannine in 1979. They have a wonderful daughter, Courtney; a terrific son-in-law, Justin Robertson; and two great sons, Derek and Dustin. The Devines consider all of them their greatest blessings from God. Courtney and Justin attend Memorial’s “Honeymooners” class for recently married young couples; Derek is a student at Texas A&M; and Dustin is an active member in Memorial’s youth program. 

Frank was baptized into Christ at Memorial in 1985, and his family is happy to be dedicating their lives to serving God and helping grow the family at Memorial in the name of the blessed savior Jesus Christ.

Greg & Sandra Hughes

Greg Hughes

Greg was born in Cleburne, Texas and his family moved to Houston when he was in the 5th grade.  He grew up attending Memorial Church of Christ where he was baptized into Christ and met his future wife, Sandra.  They were married while attending Texas A&M University where Greg earned a Master of Architecture degree.  After supporting Greg in school Sandra earned her degree in Education from the University of Houston.  They lived in the Sharpstown area of Houston where Greg was a deacon at Westbury Church of Christ. From 1985 to 1990 they lived in Macon, Georgia where Greg volunteered as the Director of Education and both served as teachers for a small congregation before returning to Houston in 1990.

Greg is Director of Healthcare for PBK Architects where he directs the healthcare planning and design practice.  He has been involved in the development of medical facilities in 32 states and 2 foreign countries.  His hobbies include golf, travel and supporting the activities of his sons.  Sandra teaches in the Memorial Church of Christ’s Friendship School.  Greg and Sandra also serve as teachers in the Children’s Bible Class Program and have been involved with Leadership Training for Christ (LTC) as well as numerous youth activities at Memorial Church of Christ.  Greg and Sandra have three sons, Michael, Morgan and Marshall, who grew up and were baptized into Christ at Memorial Church of Christ.

Greg has been an elder at Memorial Church of Christ since 2007.  His favorite scripture is Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord, and to those that are called according to his purpose.”

Gene Humphrey
Gene Humphrey was born in Lamar County, Texas, the son of a farmer and a school teacher. In 1957, Gene was baptized into Christ at the 21st and Eisenhower Church of Christ in Odessa. Gene enrolled at the University of Texas in 1965, but his education was interrupted by four years of Air Force service, during which time he lived in Omaha, Nebraska, and Stuttgart, Germany.

After the military, Gene received his degree from UT and moved to Houston in 1973. Shortly after moving to Houston, Gene met Diana Davidson, and they were married at Westbury Church of Christ in 1974. Gene and Diana had a daughter, Allison, who now lives in San Antonio with her husband Brian, before moving to California, where Gene enrolled in the business school at Stanford University.

After graduating from Stanford, the Humphreys lived and worked in New York and Dallas before returning to Houston in 1987, when they began worshipping at the West University Church of Christ. The Humphreys welcomed a son, Clayton, now a college student, to their family after returning to Houston. Gene served as a deacon and an elder in the church at West University before coming to Memorial. Gene has taught adult bible classes for more than 30 years, while Diana devotes her time to helping others and communicating with the sick and bereaved.

Cecil Rix
Cecil Rix was born in Port Arthur, Texas. After high school graduation, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Air Corps Pre-Meteorology Program at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. After he left Reed College, Cecil trained as an aerial navigator and served as Radar Observer Bombardier on B-29s of the 20th Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Following his military service, he obtained B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in geology from the University of Texas.

Following completion of his education, he married Martha Ruth Keller, and they were blessed with two children, Charles and Jane. They also have two grandchildren, Nathan, a student at Pepperdine University, and Abby, a student at Abilene Christian University.

Cecil worked in the oil industry for 33 years, and his various positions allowed his family to spend time living in a variety of cities in the United States and abroad, including New York City; London, England; Bordeaux, France; and Bangkok, Thailand. Upon retiring from the oil business, Cecil began a new career as the Minister of Education and Office Manager of Memorial Church of Christ, a position he held for 16 years until his retirement in 2002. In 1986, he was also selected to serve as one of Memorial’s elders.

Cecil enjoys church work, his family, photography, gardening, travel, music, and sports. In addition, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Retina Research Foundation in Houston from 1985 to the present.

Robby & Pam Robinson

Robby Robinson, Jr.
Robby Robinson, Jr. has been an elder at Memorial since 2004, but he started attending Memorial with his father, Robby, Sr., a former elder at Memorial; mother, Gene; and sister, Sharon, in 1958. He and his wonderful wife, Pam, have two grown children: Morgan and Caleb. Robby has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from The Ohio State University and is a Licensed Psychologist in Texas. He is a partner with a consulting firm that focuses on improving organizational performance, conducting individual testing, providing executive coaching, and conducting training. His hobbies include playing the guitar and horseback riding.

His favorite scripture is “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:7-10).

John & Frances Sawyer