Dorothy Ryan

Dorothy "Jean" Ryan passed into her Lord's arms on October 26, 2016. She was born in Levelland, Texas; the daughter of James Preston Ryan and Dorothy Louise Mayhall Ryan. Jean was a resident of Mineral Wells for 45 years. She left the printing business and began teaching at Garner. She started the annual Back in 1975 with her mom Lou Ryan. She has kept the dream alive for the past 40 years. From 1975-2004 the book was in black and white. The yearbook came alive with color in 2005. Jean worked at the Garner school for 43 years. "I would teach each child to be positive, to smile, to love, and be loved. I would teach each child to take time to observe some miracle of nature - the song of a bird, the beauty of snowflake, the orange glow of a winter sunset. I would teach each child to feel warmly about those for whom the task of learning does not come easily. I would teach each child each one to be kind to all living creatures and to crowd out of their lives feelings of guilt, misunderstanding and lack of compassion. I would teach each child that it is okay to show their feelings by laughing, crying or touching someone they care about. Every day I would have each child feel special and through my actions, each one would know how much I REALLY CARE!" A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 10am, at Bethesda Methodist Church, a graveside will follow at Brad Cemetery. She leaves behind several cousins and numerous friends. Though she had no children of her own, in her years at Garner, she touched thousands of young lives. She was the heart and soul of our school. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt, Marion Mayhall; and uncle, Robert Mayhall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favorite charity.