Dr. Mavis A. Rollins, Ph.D.'s Obituary
Dr. Mavis A. Rollins, Ph.D.
Longview, TX – Dr. Mavis Amelia Mills Rollins, died August 10, 2008, after a lengthy illness.
Born July 22, 1929 in Port Arthur, Texas. She grew up throughout the East Texas region as her father worked in the oilfields, graduating from London High School in 1946. Upon her graduation from Texas State College for Women TWU in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, she married her longtime beau, Vicheal Gene Rollins. They began their marriage, waiting for his activation in the United States Army as a Lieutenant. Mavis began her educator career while being stationed at Fort Polk, LA; Fort Sill, OK; and Sioux Ordnance Depot, NE. She continued her career in education upon their move to Longview in 1953, when V.G. returned to working for Texas Eastman Company. During her forty five years of being an active educator, she earned her Masters of Science Degree in Geology at East Texas State University in 1967 and a Doctorate in Educational Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University in 1980. In Longview, she taught at Trinity Episcopal Day School, Foster Junior High, and Longview High School. With the completion of her Ph.D. she moved from being a classroom instructor to Coordinator of Science and Social Studies for Longview ISD in 1983. In 1985, Mavis became the Science Supervisor, K-12 for Longview ISD and the Supervisor for Science, Health, and PE, K-12 in 1993. In 1995, she decided to move back to the classroom as part of the University of Texas at Tyler faculty. Even though, she officially retired in 1995, she continued contributing to education by being involved in several educational and fraternal associations. This included being a member of the Science Teachers Association of Texas STAT, where she served as Director of Region VII for ten years, elected as President in 1995, received the STAT Region Director's Award in 1988, and helped plan and implement mini Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers CAST for four years. She also served as NSTA/NASA Region V Director for Student Space Shuttle Experiments for five years. Her work pioneering computers in the classroom and promotion of the latest technology has resulted in numerous national and state workshops and presentations. She presented ideas on "Using Computers in Chemistry" at the International Science Educators' Conference in Winnipeg, Canada. Her students have been consistent winners in the SSIP Contest and the United States Military Academy at West Point recognized her role in assisting 47 high school students to enter the Academy. She has been honored by the American Chemical Society with its Southwest Region Award in High School Chemistry Teaching. She has affiliation with the National Science Teachers Association, Science Teachers Association of Texas with a Honorary Lifetime Membership, Association of Chemistry Teachers of Texas with a Honorary Lifetime Membership, National Science Supervisors Association, Texas Science Supervisors Association, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Texas Woman's University Alumnae Association, Longview/Gregg County Retired Teachers Association, TAMU Former Students Association, the Deep East Texas A&M Club, Order of the Eastern Star – Henderson Chapter, Tyler County Forest Landowners Association, Texas Forestry Association, Master Tree Farmer II, and ZONTA. She was recognized as a Distinguished Educator at the Space Shuttle Symposium, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, for serving as Chairman of the NSTA Space Program Advisory Board and the NSTA Blue Ribbon National Committee on space. She participated in four NSF summer programs and in the University of North Carolina program at the University of Bath, England comparing British and American Science Programs. In addition to her educator activities, she was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Longview, served as the President and Board Member of the Longview Beautification Association, organized Arbor Day Programs for Gregg County Schools, Safety City Board Member and Science Curriculum Writer, and on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Society and the East Texas Council of Governments. She also supported her family's involvement with the Boy Scouts of America by being a Den Mother and was one of the first two women in the East Texas Area Council to attend the Wood Badge Training Course and earn their Beads.
Mavis was preceded in death by her parents Robert D. and Pauline Mills and grandson Jay Rollins. Surviving are her husband, V.G. Rollins; brother, Robert P. Mills, and wife, Beverly, of Houston; daughter, Vicky Rollins Collins, and husband, Bob, of Longview; son, Jim Bob Rollins and wife, Donna, of Lufkin; grandchildren Linda, Robin, and Jeffrey; great-grandchildren Kirsten, Jacob, Kelsey, and Kristina; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Pallbearers are Wray Boyd, Del Knox, Terry Smith, Mike Thibodeaux, Terry Whitaker, and Bob Wylie. Honorary Pallbearers are Lois Burns, Johnnie Britain, Janis Canion, Jo Ann Lovick, Ruby Reed, J.L. Carver, John Connolly, Jesse Goza, Ken Reed, Bill Russell, C.C. Turner, and other teaching associates.
The family would like to express deepest appreciation to the staff of Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House for their comfort and careful attention to Mavis during her last days and members of her Tallent Class of the First Baptist Church of Longview.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home, Tuesday, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Service will be held Wednesday, 2:00 p.m., at Rader Funeral Home, with internment at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following.
Those desiring to do so may make contributions to First Baptist Church of Longview, Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House, or charity of your choosing.
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