Rachel Jane Gann's Obituary
Rachel H. Gann
Graveside services for Rachel H. Gann will be held at Ten O?clock am Monday December 24, 2007 at Rosewood Park Cemetery with Reverend Jonathan Jehorek officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Park under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Mrs. Gann passed away Saturday December 22, 2007 in Longview.
Rachel Jane Huffhines Gann was born July 8, 1916 in Foss, Oklahoma, to Betty and Ira Huffhines of Denton, Texas. Rachel grew up in Denton and attended schools from first grade through college. She received her bachelor's degree from Texas State College for Womennow Texas Women's University. where she majored in business. She met Berk Reeves Gannof Ponder, Texas, while he was attending North Texas College, also in Denton and in 1939, upon their graduation they married.
She was a young housewife in Wihita Falls while Berk taught mathematics. During World War II, Berk served in teh U. S. Army Air Force, where he trained Air Force pilots. Rachel lived with him at the Air Force bases and was a homemaker and young mother to their daughters, Lee and Linda.
After the war, they lived in Denton, and Rachel taught business courses at Texas State Teachers College. In 1949, Rachel and Berk moved to Bethel, Alaska where they taught school. In 1955, they moved back to Texas and bought a home in Dallas. Rachel was hired by teh Dallas Independent School District and taught school in Dallas for the next 22 years. SHe also managed to commute to T.W.U. in denton, where she earned her master's degree in education. Berk died in 1972.
Rachel retired from teaching in 1977 and relocated to Longview, where Linda and her husband Raymond Ireland, MD had decided to settle. She was an intergal part of her daughter's and grandchildren's lives until her death.
She joined the First Presbyterian Church of Longview in 1977 and was an active member for 30 years. Her Presbyterian Church was very important part of her life and being a christian was a fulfilling goal for her. Her cheerful and optimistic outlook on life will be sorely missed by her family.
Rachel is survived by her older sister, Marie Lovil of Atlanta, Texas; her two daughters, Lee Franklin of Dallas, and Linda Ireland of Longview; her five gfrandchildren, Meagon Dunme of Bedford, Melinda Franklin of Dallas, Joe Ireland of Los Angeles, Nick ireland of Longviewadn Patrick Ireland of College Station; one great granddaughter, Nicolette Dume; and one nephew Bill Lovil of Plano.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the First Presbyterian Church of Longview would be appreciated.
Visitaiton will be 5-7 p.m. today December 23, 2007 at the fuenral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Rachel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rachel?
Share a story where Rachel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rachel you’ll never forget.
How did Rachel make you smile?