Nanette Putnam Obituary

Nanette Cox Putnam, 68, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. A devoted mother, Lulu, sister, cousin, and friend - she left a little sparkle everywhere she went. Nanette was born on October 9, 1956, in Smithville, Texas.
Nanette was incredibly strong, hardworking, and independent. Many didn't even know she was fighting such a tough battle. While undergoing treatments, she continued to live life to the fullest - never wanting anything to be different or change because of cancer. She loved spending time with her grandkids and family, working in her yard, and hunting for treasures.
She often told her girls that she loved them, but she really loved her grandkids. Her life wasn't easy - especially as a young adult with two little girls - but she never let that slow her down. She never missed a school program, cattle show, sporting event, or a chance to cheer her girls on. She was the mom who clapped so loud, you didn't notice anyone else in the crowd. That didn't change when her grandkids came along - she made sure each one felt special and loved.
Even after she got sick, she still showed up. The love they felt from their Lulu was immeasurable. If you ask any of them who their favorite person is, the answer is definitely Lulu - and for good reason.
She was the best cook. She loved sweets and made it a mission to find the best food on road trips. She had to have something sweet to eat every night before bed with a glass of milk. One of her grandsons, Lincoln, even renamed her toaster oven a "cookie machine" because that's all she ever cooked in it.
If you needed to run an errand or go somewhere, she'd want you to pick her up so she could tag along. Her next question would usually be, "What are you feeding me?" If she found out her sons-in-law were grilling, she'd invite herself over.
She loved the beach - but only Destin, Florida - where she spent many summer vacations with her family. She loved going with her cousins to Higgins Branch, Goodwill, or hitting up garage sales around town. Bowling and movies were favorites, too.
She was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. She cheered so loudly, no one wanted to watch a game with her - especially if they weren't doing well (which didn't matter to her). She always knew the weather - and the way she talked about Frank on Channel 2, you'd think he personally called her with the forecast.
She loved dressing up, even if she didn't have anywhere to go - though she'd usually convince James, her girls, or her cousins to take her somewhere anyway. Every time her granddaughter, Remi, saw her, she'd count how many bracelets Lulu had on. They loved making jewelry together, and Lulu proudly told anyone who asked that her granddaughter made her pieces.
Chick-fil-A was her favorite place to grab a "snack" - which was usually a full meal. We've decided this might be hereditary, because her granddaughter, Loghan, never had to ask her twice to go to "Chicka-fila," as she called it.
Her grandson, Rylan, spent many hours "perched" on the couch with Lulu watching movies - usually ones his parents didn't approve of, but Lulu did. The saying at Lulu's house was always: "What happens at Lulu's house, stays at Lulu's house."
Nanette is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Lacye and Jason Draehn, and Randi and Kyle Branham - all of Brenham. Also surviving her are her longtime companion, James Gross, and his family; her grandchildren, Rylan and Remi Draehn, and Lincoln and Loghan Branham, all of Brenham; and cousins Carolyn and Jack Henderson of Brenham, Leslie Craigen of Brenham, and Donna and Perry Barber of Chappell Hill and many other family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Eldee and Pruitt Cox, her brother Malcom Cox and her grandmother, Layla Rister.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 13th, from 3 PM – 5 PM (come and go) at The Barn at Pleasant Hill – 280 Farm House Ln., Brenham, Texas 77833.
Memorials may be given to Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.
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