The Houston Baptist University family mourns the loss of Mrs. Jeannette Clift George. George聽is known throughout the world for her role as Corrie ten Boom in the 1975 film dramatization of Boom鈥檚 autobiographical book, 鈥淭he Hiding Place.鈥�
George is聽celebrated聽in the Houston聽region聽especially聽for founding the . Her beloved After Dinner Players聽began as a small group of student performers at Houston Baptist University (then College). George, Actress-in-Residence at the聽college,聽founded the group in 1967. She said, 鈥淚 wanted to find a way to relate biblical scripture, which has been so vital in my life, to individuals who had never come under its influence.鈥�
Dr. Don Looser, who served in the leadership of HBU from 1964 to 2010, remembers helping recruit George to the college.聽He included George in his book, 鈥淎n Act of Providence,鈥� which chronicles the history of HBU.聽鈥淛eannette loved life and laughter,鈥� he said. 鈥淢any of her stories remain alive today, full of her delightful enthusiasm and boundless creativity, and borne on the memories of those students and faculty who shared her years on campus.鈥�
Her ability to translate timeless and traditional ideas into modern聽and fresh performances聽blessed聽the聽lives of many.聽In 1969, A.D. Players became a nonprofit organization, and聽an independent location聽was聽acquired in 1979, when the聽organization聽converted a former church聽into Grace Theater.
George remained a friend and supporter of HBU throughout the years, and received a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from the school in 1995.
In 2017, 50 years after its founding, the Jeannette & L.M. George Theater聽(named in honor of her聽late聽husband Lorraine M. George)聽opened聽on Westheimer Road.聽Located in the Galleria-Uptown area of Houston, the聽modern聽theater is 35,000 square feet and seats 450.
鈥淚n God鈥檚 perfect timing, Jeannette lived to see the fulfillment of her dream of a professional theater聽to house remarkable productions,鈥澛燣ooser said.
Chairman of the A.D. Players Board of Directors and lifelong friend Susan Santangelo聽said,聽“Jeannette’s talents聽鈥斅燼s an actress, a playwright, a speaker and teacher聽鈥斅爓ere well-known and prolific. Her legacy will live in the hearts of those whose lives she touched with these gifts, and in the ongoing work of A.D. Players,聽which聽she founded and led for nearly five decades. Those of us who knew and loved Jeannette well will remember her laughter, her winsome teaching,聽her life-long passion for theater聽and her steadfast love for her Lord Jesus Christ. Her presence among us will be sorely missed.”