Published: May 06, 2008 01:38 am            

Lois Hawthorne Hurst Climer

Lois Hawthorne Hurst Climer of Mansfield died on May 4, 2008.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Moore-Bowen Road Chapel, 4216 S. Bowen Road, Arlington. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Mart Cemetery in Mart. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The family has requested that no flowers be sent, but instead that donations be made to Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053.

Lois was born Dec. 30, 1908, the daughter of James Hugh and Myrtle Bell Baker Hawthorne. She was the last surviving member of the Jefferson J. Hawthorne family, an early pioneer settler and farmer in Limestone County. She attended school in Mart and Marlin graduating from Mart High School in 1928. After attending Westminster Junior College for two years, she began a 40-year teaching career in the Texas public schools.

She taught eight years in Limestone County. In 1938 she received a bachelor’s degree from North Texas University, majoring in elementary education and English.

After two years teaching in Navarro, Navarro County, she accepted a secretarial position with H.B. Zachary Company in San Antonio. At the urging of family she returned to teaching in the W.B. Travis School, Corsicana ISD.

In 1946 Dr. Ewell D. Walker, Dallas ISD, offered her a position in art education where she taught for the next 28 years. An inspiring and innovative teacher she received recognition locally and statewide being twice nominated for the Teacher of The Year. She served four years on the board of directors of Dallas Classroom Teachers.

She was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church where she taught the Amity Sunday School Class for 11 1/2 years.

When she retired in 1974, she moved to Corsicana with her husband, Grady Climer. As an active member in First Baptist Church she participated in women’s mission, Meals on Wheels and senior choir. She was a member of Navarro County Retired Teachers Organization, Business Professional Women, Pan American, and the James Blair Chapter, DAR. After the death of her husband, she moved to Mansfield to be near her daughter George Anna Collins. Her daughter, granddaughter, beloved nephews and nieces, their children, cousins and a host of friends survive her.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home-Bowen Chapel, Arlington.

        

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