Marlene Thomas Haraka's Obituary
Marlene Thomas Haraka
Marlene Thomas Haraka of Houston, TX passed away peacefully on July 1, 2010 at the age of 72. She was a woman of great courage, charm and elegance who, despite her many ailments, faced life with an open heart and love for our Lord.
Marlene was born October 26, 1937 in Longview, TX and was the second of three daughters born to the late Isaac and Lucille Barro Thomas. Marlene attended First Ward Elementary School, Foster Middle School and Longview High School. She excelled in high school, graduating suma cum laude and was recognized for her beautiful voice and many vocal performances as well as her activities and honors that included Yearbook Editor, Student Council Officer, Class Favorite, National Honor Society and Duchess in the Queen's Coronation.
Marlene then attended North Texas State University in Denton, TX where she pursued her love of music. She graduated with honors earning a BS in Music Education with a minor in English. During her college years Marlene was an outstanding and active student. She was named Freshman and Sophomore Senator, Top Coed on Campus, listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, was Song Director and Angel of the Year of Angel Flight, was Song Leader and Treasurer of Zeta Tau Alpha, was a candidate for Miss North Texas and was named Kappa Alpha Sweetheart. In addition to these activities, Marlene was involved in the following: A Cappella Choir, Grand Chorus, Alpha Lamda Delta National Honor Society, Junior and Senior Mary Arden Literary Club, Meritum Women's Honor Society and the following music societies: Alpha Chi, Mu Phi Epsilon and Phi Kappa Lambda.
After graduating, Marlene returned to Longview to teach music at Pine Wood Park Elementary and Foster Middle School. Later she was hired to teach music at Longview High School where she directed choir and aided the well-known and respected Music Director, Mr. Herbert Teat. Their choir won many state honors for their performances.
Being of Lebanese heritage, Marlene attended the 1960 Southern Federation Convention, held over 4th of July in New Orleans. That is where she met her love, George Haraka from Bradenton, Florida. George had completed his services in the U.S. Navy, and they married in 1963 and located to Houston. Marlene taught at Deady Middle School where she was head of the music department. Marlene was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Angela and Kathryn. Marlene taught her daughters about her many passions: art, music and writing. At their respective colleges, Angela majored in art and Kathryn majored in journalism. Both daughters followed in Marlene's footsteps becoming members of Zeta Tau Alpha. Marlene was an active member and past president of the Zeta Tau Alpha Houston Alumnae Association.
Marlene was always thinking of and providing for the loved ones in her life, as well as reaching out to help others. This was evident in her service to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over the years where she volunteered her time and voice. Marlene composed an eloquent poem for the St. Jude Houston fundraiser, dedicated to the founder of St. Jude's, Danny Thomas.
Let's Celebrate Life
Come, take my hand and walk with me beneath
The rainbow's glow,
For at the journey's end we'll find a place
That we will know.
A place where fragile baby's breath is
Blooming in profusion,
In fields, where wisdom, hope and prayers
Have aided one man's vision.
Nurtured by our open hearts, watered by our tears,
Come, celebrate the gift of life, for God
Has added years.
When the children were in high school, Marlene went back to work teaching English to Exxon foreign executives and substitute teaching. She also volunteered her time to the L'Entasar Club, Depelchin's Children's Center, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Memorial Drive United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 47 years, George Haraka of Houston; her daughters and their husbands, Angela and David Ramm of Houston and Kathryn and Ben Spofford of Los Angeles, CA; her grandchildren Dylan and Marley Ramm of Houston; her sister Jeanette Abraham of Vicksburg, MS and sister and brother-in-law Dianne and Dr. Kenneth Glaze of Longview. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Barbara and Sally Haraka and brothers-in-law Joe and Ellis Haraka. Nieces include godchild Charlene Abraham Davis and husband Robert, Suzanne Abraham Hull and husband Greg, Maggie Abraham Collins and husband Kevin and Marie Haraka Pulliam. Nephews include Chuck Abraham and wife Terri, David Abraham, Lane Glaze and wife Sally, Gregg Haraka and wife Jennifer and Scott Haraka. Aunts are Kay and Frances Barro, Azie Jabour, Alyce Monsour, Margaret Thomas, Selma Naifeh and Josephine Topshe.
The family would especially like to thank her doctors and devoted caregivers, Dolores and her sister Benny Rodriguez and Nuvia Castillo, who so lovingly took care of her every need. Also the family would like to thank Linda Bell and Carolyn Watson who cared for Marlene at the onset of her illness.
For family and friends in Houston, visitation will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, July 7 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 7:00 p.m. For family and friends in Longview, visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 8. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9 at Memory Park with funeral services following at 12:00 p.m. at First Christian Church where Marlene was a long time member and where she and George were married.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, HYPERLINK "http://www.stjude.org"www.stjude.org, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, HYPERLINK "http://www.komen.org"www.komen.org or the charity of your choice.
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