Tracy Lynn Self was born in Houston, Texas on March 7, 1967.  She passed from this life to the next on March 22, 2026.

She spent her formative years in Spring, Texas, attending elementary, Jr. High and High School in The Woodlands, Texas.

At just 5 years of age, she began cheering for her brother's Pee Wee football team under the watchful eye of her mother, Jayne, who was her coach. She again donned a cheerleader uniform in Jr. High School.

Tracy graduated from high school in May, 1985. She then enrolled in The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Batchelor of Science degree in Advertising.

Her career began as Public Relations Director to Harris County Commissioner, Jerry Eversole from 1990-1992. In 1992 she was selected to serve as Executive Assistant to the Metropolitan Transit Authority's Chairman of the Board, William "Billy" Burge providing administrative, strategic and technical support, and representing him to Board members, senior staff, public officials, business leaders and the public.

In 1995 she was tapped to become Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Executive Director of GOPAC in Washington, DC, until1998.  Then taking a position as Manager, State Relations and Communications with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in Alexandria, VA, she executed grass roots programs and state government affairs in 26 states, designing and managing the Association's government affairs publications and legislative communications.

In 2001 she joined the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Secretary in Washington, DC until 2005 serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Strategy. In this position she represented and advised Secretary Tommy Thompson and the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in all public affairs matters.

Following her brief entry into the political arena that was Washington, DC, she became an independent consultant where she managed outreach for the first annual "America Supports You Freedom Walk", for the Department of Defense program honoring victims of 9-11, US Veterans and their families.

In 2007 she joined the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Baltimore, MD as Director, Division of Partner Relations.  She then returned to her home state of Texas in 2009 as owner and developer of Tracy Gonzales Self & Associates, Austin, TX, as a seasoned public and government affairs professional with expertise in health care advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development.

Tracy loved people and music—hence her return to Austin where she had many friends. She loved her family and will be missed for her ready smile, giving attitude and kind heart.

She is preceded in death by her beloved brother Kerry Wayne Self, a favorite uncle Walter Lee Minefee, and her mom's oldest sister Carolyn Minefee McCann.

She is survived by her mother Jayne Longley (John) of Franklin, father Lenard Self (Sharon) of  Houston, her niece Abigail, her nephew Nicholas, 12 aunts and uncles, and too many cousins to count who will miss dearly their beautiful and 'sassy' aunt, niece and cousin.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Franklin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church P.O. Box 543 Franklin, Texas 77856 or to the Wounded Warrior Project @ https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

We love you, Tracy.