Elementary
Dana Johnson, 49
Died January 21, 2021.
Kemp Elementary School, Powder Springs, GA
First Grade
Dana B. Johnson, age 49 of Douglasville, GA. passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Wellstar Paulding Hospital. She was born on February 12, 1971 to her parents, Nathan Jerome Simpson Sr. and Althea Baker. Mrs. Johnson was a schoolteacher for more than 26 years and was currently employed at Kemp Elementary in Powder Springs, GA. She was a faithful member of Oasis Family Life Church in Dallas, GA. She is preceded in death by her brother, Nathan Jerome Simpson Jr.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her loving husband of almost 24 years, Timothy Johnson Sr., her sons; Timothy Allen Johnson Jr. of Douglasville, GA., Cameron Ulysses Johnson, of Douglasville, GA., and Darius Marquis Johnson of Douglasville, GA., sisters; Denita Simpson, Shamel Kemp and Sharel Young, brother; Pierre Simpson.
Funeral Services will be announced later and will be held at Campbell and Sons Funeral Home 124 W Park Avenue Savannah, Ga. 31401. Please send flower arrangements to this address.
Visitation will be Monday, January 25, 2021 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at Clark Funeral Home.
If attending the visitation or service, the staff of Clark Funeral Home highly recommends that a face mask be worn, and that social distancing is practiced to help prevent the spreading of any possible illnesses and to help keep visitors, friends and family members of Mrs. Johnson safe. The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to everyone who may be unable to attend the service in person due to Georgia’s Covid-19 restrictions (no more than 50 people inside the funeral home at one time).
Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA, is honored to care for the family during this difficult time.
Condolences may be left for the family on our website, www.samclarkfuneralhome.com under the Tribute Wall tab.
Marlene Evans, 59
Died January 18, 2021.
Virtus Academy of South Carolina, Florence, SC
Kindergarten
Marlene Myers Evans, 59, of Florence, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021.
Mrs. Evans was born in Dillon, SC, daughter of the late Margaret Myers Harrell. She was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where she served as Director of Children’s Ministries for 20+ years, served as Vice-President of the United Methodist Women, was a member of the church choir and taught Sunday School class. She received the 2014 Community Leadership award by the Woodmen of the World. Marlene taught for 27 years at Easterling Elementary School in Marion and was currently teaching at Virtus Academy. She was passionate about her students, whom she called her children, and had a special place in her heart for children of special needs. She had fostered over ten foster children. She was a huge supporter of the “Help for Kids” Backpack lunches along with other charities within the community. She was a compassionate caretaker to all her friends and family, sometimes to a fault. Marlene was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend to all. She loved her family and she worshiped her Lord and Savior.
Surviving are her husband, Carey Nathaniel Evans of Florence; daughters, Ashleigh (Forrest) Ham and Ryleigh Evans; brothers, Wayne (Melissa) Nettles and Ronnie Nettles; sisters, Dana (Clair) Harrell, Cindy McElveen, and Farrah Jones; and her soul-sister, Terry Miller.
Memorials may be made to Help for Kids Backpack Program, 252 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3:00 pm Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Friendship United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 pm in the church cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.
Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.
Deborah Menendez-Holloway, 51
Died January 11, 2021.
Arlington Elementary School, Jacksonville, FL
Second and Third Grade
Deborah Menendez-Holloway, a longtime Duval County Public Schools educator, died of COVID-19 on Jan. 11 at the age of 51.
Menendez-Holloway taught second and third grade Language Arts students at Arlington Elementary this school year. Prior to that, she taught at Love Grove Elementary school for 17 years.
“She was incredibly generous, kind and so, so funny,” her daughter, Regina Holloway, told the Times-Union. “She had a very universal sense of humor. Everyone found her funny and relatable and understanding.”
The teacher’s brown hair with loose curls and toothy grin greeted Duval County Public Schools students and colleagues for over two decades.
“She brought love, joy, and kindness to her students and classrooms,” a statement from the school district said. “She will be deeply missed by her school community.”
Menendez-Holloway was born Nov. 16, 1969, and raised in Staten Island, New York. She moved to Jacksonville in 2000 and began teaching shortly after.
It’s unclear exactly how she contracted COVID-19, her daughter said, adding that Menendez-Holloway was teaching in-person since the beginning of the school year, but that the family was taking the virus seriously.
“It was a hazard of the job,” Holloway said. “She was a front line worker.”
According to Holloway, her mom was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-December and hospitalized for three weeks.
Love and support from former colleagues, students, family and friends has overwhelmed Facebook feeds since Menendez-Holloway’s passing.
“Seeing everything on social media and seeing how many people she truly touched speaks to how special she was,” Holloway said about her mom. “She never realized that.”
Local education advocate Latrice Carmichael, of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund’s Parents Who Lead initiative, called Menendez-Holloway “the heart at Love Grove.” Carmichael’s son, Donovan had Menendez-Holloway as a teacher in elementary school.
“The students knew she did not play,” she said, “but they knew she was going to go hard for them.”
Even in sickness, Menendez-Holloway was thinking about her students.
Just last week, while Menendez-Holloway was being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital, she and Carmichael shared a text exchange. Carmichael sent photos of a group of former Love Grove students, to which Menendez-Holloway replied, “you just don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“She never mentioned at that very moment she was in the hospital battling COVID,” Carmichael said. “She simply thought about students and said ‘Give them my love.’ This is such a loss for Duval.”
As things took a turn for the worse and Menendez-Holloway remained hospitalized into the new year, text served as a primary form of communication between her and her family, as well.
Holloway and her mom would talk about next year’s Christmas plans, since they didn’t get to see family this year. They joked about hospital food, with Menendez-Holloway sending pictures of her meals and would quip about the best and worst dishes she’d eaten.
“She was definitely a fighter, she was a positive person,” Holloway said. “She never wanted anyone to be sad. Our conversations would be funny things.”
Former students, like Obri Richardson, now college-aged, remarked about Holloway putting them on the right path.
“Love Grove Elementary will never be the same without my fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Deborah Holloway,” Richardson wrote on Facebook. “From her comical remarks to her pouring of wisdom, she touched the hearts and souls of those on the margins. I’m glad to say I was one of them who she both taught and touched.”
Deborah Menendez-Holloway is survived by her daughter, Regina, the Menendez and Holloway families, and all of her chosen family and students she knew over the years. A private service and memorial will be held in the future.
Olivia Ramirez, 44
Died December 28, 2020.
Murnin Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Olivia Michelle Lopez-Ramirez, of San Antonio, TX, 44 years old, passed away on December 28, 2020 at North Central Baptist Hospital of complications related to COVID-19.
Olivia is survived by her 3 sons, Anthony Thomas, Jacob Michael, and Hunter Reed Ramirez. Her Parents, Benito and Hilda I. Lopez, sisters, Odelia Melissa Lopez-Brouse, Brother in Law, Jesse Brouse, and Ofelia Marina Lopez, all from San Antonio, TX. Niece and Nephew, Amelia and Benjamin Brouse.
Olivia was born March 17, 1976, on St. Patrick’s Day, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She attended Newman Elementary School and Mary Help of Christian School in Laredo, TX. She attended, Hobby and Zachary Middle Schools, and graduated in May 1994 from Taft High School. Olivia attended St. Mary’s University, Palo Alto College and received her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cum Laude, from the University of Texas at San Antonio in May 2006.
Olivia was a dedicated and loving mother to her 3 sons. For 17 years she was a devoted Educator, who taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade for Northside ISD at Murnin, Elementary School. She was recognized by the State of Texas in 2014 as Educator of the Year. She loved to teach math, loved to read, and was admired and liked by her students and parents.
She is preceded in death by her Grandparents, Manuel and Delia Lopez of Corpus Christi, TX and Gilbert and Olivia Gonzalez of Robstown, TX.
Celebration of life mass will be held: January 23, 2020, Blessed Sacrament Church, 600 Oblate St., San Antonio, TX. Father Christopher Munoz Officiating.
ROSARY: 9:00 a.m. CELEBRATION OF LIFE MASS: 10:0A.M.(Livestream)
Interment will be at Cordi-Marian in a private ceremony with family only.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Olivia Michelle Lopez-Ramirez Memorial Scholarship, in support of future educators. Contact Linda Guerra at NEF, 210-397-8964 or to make donations thru this link. https://www.give2schools.org/cat.asp?id=57146BFCADBF40279F9E103228DBC87A
Nicholas Glover, 53
January 8, 2021.
Carpenter Community Charter School, Los Angeles, CA
Fourth Grade
Students, parents and faculty at a Studio City school are mourning the loss of a beloved teacher who passed away from COVID-19.
Nicholas Glover taught fourth grade at Carpenter Community Charter School.
In a statement sent out to parents, Principal Joe Martinez said Glover was diagnosed with the virus over the school break, but was resting at home and even felt he might be able to report to work next week. Unfortunately, his health quickly declined and he passed away at home.
Over the past 17 years, Glover had taught first and fourth grade classes but Martinez added that he wasn’t just a teacher, but an integral part of the community.
“He was oftentimes the voice of reason for the staff, provoking deeper thought and helping us to reflect thoroughly on decisions that impacted our school community. In addition, he always made a point of acknowledging others,” Martinez said in his statement. “In his classroom, he would take the time to build meaningful relationships with his students and their families. With our staff, he regularly acknowledged and congratulated his colleagues for their contributions. His wisdom (and his amazing sense of humor) will be missed by all.”
Glover is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children, Andrew and Emma.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help his family.
LAUSD counselors will be on hand to help the students through the grieving process when distance learning resumes next week.
Wendy Fipps, 52
Died January 8, 2021.
Edgewood Elementary School, Whiteville, NC
Fourth Grade
Wendy Jenrette Fipps was born August 6, 1968 and passed away January 8, 2021 in McLeod Seacoast Hospital, Little River, SC. She was the daughter of Bettie Gore Jenrette and the late Harry Jenrette Jr. She is also predeceased by her Sister Jeanene Jenrette Lee.
In addition to her Mother, she is survived by her husband of 26 years Shawn Fipps; sister, Michele Jenrette Williams and husband Jonathan, nephew Jon; brother in law, Nelson Lee, niece Madison Lee Ward, nephew Harrison “Rett” Jenrette Lee, niece Chessa Lee, great nephew Nash Ward, great nephew Noxx Ward.
Wendy graduated from Nakina High School in 1986 and attended Pembroke University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Pembroke University. Wendy was an elementary school teacher in the Whiteville City School District for 30 years. Wendy has been a wonderful wife to the love of her life and best friend Shawn for 26 years. Wendy loved her two fur babies Snuggles and Hemi like they were her children. Wendy loved to travel, she loved the beach, and she loved to fish in the Waccamaw River with her husband. She loved to cook and have social gatherings at her home. Wendy also loved to read and play the piano. If you knew her she would light up the darkest room when she walked into it, with her beautiful smile and outgoing personality. She was previously awarded Teacher of the Year, teaching was her passion and she touched the lives of many students over the years. She has been a lifetime member of Old Zion Wesleyan Church. She served her Lord and Savior for 52 wonderful years. She loved her family more than anything. Her giving spirit and loving nature will be missed by all.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Isaac Gore Cemetery, Miller Rd., Tabor City, NC.
Visitation will be held following the service in the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shawn Fipps, 2757 Miller Rd., Tabor City, NC 28463.
LuAnn Klein Burns
Died December, 2020.
Stockbridge Elementary School, Stockbridge, GA
Kindergarten
On Monday, teachers at Stockbridge Elementary School in Henry County will remember their colleague LuAnn Klein Burns, who died last week of COVID-19.
Parents and community members are invited to the 7:30 a.m. memorial for the kindergarten teacher at the elementary school.
Ms. Burns worked at Stockbridge Elementary since 2000. According to her faculty page, she and her husband Russ were married for 34 years and have two children, both of whom are music teachers. Her Facebook page bears the legend: “Teachers change lives.”
On her page, Ms. Burns wrote, “I spend my free time visiting my 85-year-old father who lives in Indiana. I can’t wait to meet you and share my love of learning.” Her funeral mass was held in Indiana this weekend.
A district spokesman declined to give a statement about Ms. Burns, saying, “We did have a teacher pass away but I can’t comment on or confirm the cause of death. Our condolences go out to this teacher’s family. Counselors will be available virtually for any students or staff needing to speak with someone.”
After the memorial Monday, six to eight teachers plan to meet with the principal of the school to discuss their safety concerns, said Jennifer Saunders, president of the Georgia Federation of Public Service Employees and an Atlanta teacher.
Saunders said teachers want reassurances the school will adhere to the COVID-19 playbook created by the district to ensure safety. “They want to keep their jobs,” said Saunders in a telephone interview Sunday night. “But they are naturally concerned for their own lives and their own safety and that of their students. They love teaching, but they love living more.”
There have been several teacher deaths in Georgia over the last two weeks including Cobb art teacher Patrick Key, Hart County science teacher Kelley Cordell Gaines and Irwin County first grade teacher Tammie Sanford.
Marie Linh Le, 69
Died January 3, 2020.
Kirk Elementary School, Houston, TX
Paraprofessional
Lê Phương Linh was born on October 26, 1951, in Hải Phòng, Vietnam. At the age of 69, she passed away on January 3, 2021, in Houston, Texas, at Methodist West Hospital. A victim of the coronavirus pandemic, she was not allowed to have her family members in attendance, however, an online group viewing was provided for the family before her death.
Linh was the daughter of Lê Minh Thịnh and Nguyễn Thị Liên, who had 4 daughters and 2 sons. Her father taught English to the Vietnamese people in Hải Phòng. In 1954, their family ran from the northern Communist party and escaped to South Vietnam. She went to a French Catholic school, Saint Paul, fluently speaking and writing in French. Linh went to the University of Law in Saigon and nearly finished her degree until her studies were interrupted when the country lost to the Communist party. She then became a junior high teacher, instructing on history and geography.
After the Vietnam War’s Fall of Saigon in 1975 and multiple attempts of escape, Linh was able to finally leave Vietnam in 1981 with her brother and sister. Escaping by boat, they were at sea without food or water for 3 days. Harassed by pirates, their boat was saved by a German ship, which they boarded and stayed on for a month before being dropped off in the Philippines. For months on the island’s refugee camp, Linh was the teacher aide and Vietnamese/English interpreter for the British volunteers who came to help the refugees transition to America. With the help from their oldest sister, they were sponsored in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On July 1981, Linh and her siblings were on a plane to their new lives in the United States.
Linh met and married her husband, Nguyễn Dang Linh, and moved with him to Houston, Texas, in 1982. They had two children, Christine Lan Vi Nguyen (1983) and David Vinh Nguyen (1984). She was naturalized and became a U.S. citizen in 1988. She worked as a teacher aide at Kirk Elementary School, and her hobbies were cooking, baking, traveling, socializing with friends, and exercising (she loved Zumba). Linh was the most loving and caring wife and mother to her family. A bright light and loved by all, most knew Linh for her sweet smile, kind words, and thoughtful gifts.
She is survived by her husband and two children, along with sisters, Lê Bích Từ, Hô`Phương Mai, Trần Phương Anh, and brother, Lê Thế Trường. Her saint name is Marie Lê Phương Linh.
Tammie Sanford, 41
Died January 3, 2021.
Irwin County Elementary School, Ocilla, GA
First Grade
Obituary:
Tammie Tankersley Sanford, 41, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Frank Cemetery in Irwin County, with the Rev. Billy Stephens officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the cemetery.
Tammie was born May 14, 1979, in Tifton, Georgia to Shirley Broom Tankersley and the late Gary C. Tankersley. She was a 1997 graduate of Irwin County High School. She attended ABAC and South Georgia College and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University. She later earned her Master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. Tammie was a proud G.O. Bailey Bear having taught first grade in Tift County for 9 years. She had taught first grade since 2013 at Irwin County Elementary School. She was a lifetime Irwin County Indian who was dearly loved by her students and co-workers. She loved children and they were drawn to her compassion as a comforter. She went above and beyond as an educator. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. She was a lifelong member of Ocilla Baptist Church where she helped with OBC kids and led the singing in the balcony choir.
She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Joe W. Sanford of Irwin County; daughter, Gaby Dena Sanford of Irwin County; son, Garin Wade Sanford of Irwin County; her mother, Shirley Tankersley of Irwin County; siblings and their spouses: Morris & Marcy Tankersley of Tifton, Nan & Cory Vassey of Irwin County, and Michael Tankersley & Melissa Redd of Irwin County; mother-in-law, Linda Sanford of Fitzgerald; sister-in-law, Jessica Sanford & Matt Gribshaw of Hamilton, Virginia; niece and nephews: Rob Vassey, Ally Tankersley, Cole Vassey, Maxton Gribshaw, Owen Redd and Baylor Redd. She was preceded in death by her father, Gary C. Tankersley and her father-in-law, Bobby Sanford.
Steven Aguilar, 49
Died December 10, 2020.
Lincoln Elementary School, Fredonia, KS
Paraprofessional
Steven Ray Aguilar, 49, of Chanute, Kansas left this world for his eternal home in heaven December 10, 2020.
Steven was born to Manuel and Rachel (De La Torre) Aguilar February 6, 1971.
He graduated from Chanute High School with the Class of 1989. After that he graduated from Neosho County Community College where he earned an associates degree, continuing to Pittsburg State University for more college credits.
Steven was united in marriage to Jennifer Larson on June 25, 2010, where they began sharing their life as one.
Steven worked as a Paraprofessional at Lincoln Elementary School in Fredonia, Kansas, and was the head coach for the Fredonia High School softball team.
He was involved in a wide variety of public services and committees such as Knight of Columbus, member of the Mexican Fiesta Committee, VFW Auxiliary, and past Commander for the Sons of the American Legion. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Steven enjoyed playing pool, being a DJ, and had a huge passion for coaching softball. One of his proudest moments of his coaching career was being VIP World Series Tournament Champs two years in a row.
Steven is survived by his wife of the home; father, Manuel Aguilar Sr. of Chanute, KS; sister, Laura Garcia (Manuel) of Wichita, KS; and brother, Manuel Aguilar Jr. of Chanute, KS; nieces and nephews, Jakob and Lena Aguilar, and Daniel and Veronica Garcia.
Steven is preceded in death by his mother, Rachel, his Uncles, Manuel Lopez, Henry Lopez, Roman De La Torre, Rudy De La Torre, Reyes (Shorty) Bonilla, Lucio (Lou) De La Torre, and his Aunts, Esther Lira, Teresa Shultz.
Due to COVID-19, Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held for the family only at 10:30 am December 18, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Rosary being held prior to the service at 9:45 am. (Face coverings will be required) Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Chanute, Kansas.
Live streaming of the service will be provided by St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and can be viewed at
https://www.facebook.com/St-Patrick-Catholic-Church-2034379966601678/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkw2w4FTzrdPWTcUkMRhQCw
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to BC Sports Foundation and they can be left with or mailed to the funeral home.