Theresa Yasuko Imai, born May 13, 1921 to Kame Kiyan and Moshi Kani in Wailuku Maui Hawaii, went to be with our Lord on February 3, 2019 at the age of 97.

Theresa is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Eskridge Imai, and her siblings Yoshiko Chu, Hideko Nagamine, Seikichi Kiyan, Isamu Kiyan, and George Kiyan.

Theresa is survived by her daughter Cindy (Imai) Jones of Humble and Friendswood and husband Matt Perry, granddaughter Kolby Duke of Austin, siblings Teru Awakuni, Sadako Ige, Mineko Dewa and husband Ronald of California, Haruko Asato, Noboru Kiyan, Sueko Nakaza and husband Hidei of Hawaii, and numerous nieces and nephews in California and Hawaii.

Theresa graduated from fashion design school in Honolulu in 1950, moved from Hawaii to Chicago, Illinois where she worked as a fashion coordinator at Marshall Fields department store for more than a decade. Theresa’s customers loved her for providing an excellent level of skills and service in the fashion department. She married Eskridge and moved to Texas in 1963. They were married 47 years until Eskridge passed away in 2011.

While living in Humble, Theresa and Eskridge owned and operated Imai Farms for almost 20 years selling produce to local customers, area grocery stores, the Houston Farmer’s Market, and produce houses. During this time, Theresa also worked in the Humble High School cafeteria for several years and enjoyed making lunches for the HHS students. She was a devout Christian and a member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic church in Humble for 35 years.

As a long time Humbleite, Theresa was very involved in the Humble Senior Citizen’s program and during this time, Mayor Wilson Archer declared May 20, 2001 “Theresa Imai Day.” She was a great contributor to the local gardening and greenhouse programs and she made clothes for dolls the Salvation Army auctioned to raise funds every year for local families during Christmas. She enjoyed step aerobics classes, line dancing, and painting. Theresa loved traveling including trips with her husband to Australia, New Zealand, Alaskan and Caribbean cruises.

Theresa moved to Friendswood in 2005 to be close to her daughter and granddaughter. Most recently Theresa resided at Evening Star Personal Care home in Alvin, Texas.

Visitation hours will be held Friday, February 15 from 5-7 pm at Rosewood Funeral Home 7900 Rankin Road in Humble. Deacon Nick Caruso will conduct a memorial of on Saturday, February 16 at 10 am at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble. Immediately following services, lunch will be provided at Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant 22704 TX-494 Loop, Kingwood, Tx 77339.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Susie Perkins for her amazing care of Theresa and support of the family. Dr. Perkins made house calls to Theresa's assisted living facility and hospice and she was always available to guide the family through the difficult journey of Theresa's care.

The family is also grateful to Sham Rasheed for her dedication to being Theresa's advocate and support of the family. Sham and her family embraced Theresa and the family and was always willing to help.

Much gratitude goes to Evening Star Personal Care Home family and staff for providing Theresa with the love and care that enabled her to have the most peace, joy, and happiness she has experienced in a long time. The short time Theresa lived there was such a blessing to her and the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Japanese American National Museum,
100 N Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Attn: Development Office. For more information or levels of support, please call the Development Office at 213.830.5646 or send email to development@janm.org.