BETTY JANE "JANEY" JOHNSON KENNEDY, 56, died Nov. 17,
2005 in Eastland, TX. She was the beloved teacher in
Strawn Independent School District, with burial at
Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, TX.
Ms. Kennedy was born March 24, 1949 in Ranger to C.W.
(Wallace) & Wanda Jo Ketchersid Johnson. She lived
all her life in Ranger, graduating from Ranger High
School, Ranger Jr. College & Tarleton State University
where she received a M.Ed. She was Band Sweetheart
her senior year at RHS.
Ms. K, as she was affectionately called by her students
and fellow teachers, began teaching as a circuit teacher
in Peaster, Brock and Poolville. Twenty-seven years ago,
she came to Strawn as a classroom teacher. Ms. K always
demanded the best from her students. Her greatest desire
was that the students she taught learn to do better and
make better lives for themselves. She loved her students
without exception.
Ms. K was an avid Greyhound fan. She supported every
Greyhound team with her presence. She painted signs,
participated in skits and thought up ways to cheer them
on. Every playoff team has a memory of the "something"
special she did for them.
Jane Kennedy was a Magnolia. The Mags were a group of four
teachers who had taught a total of more than 100 years in
the Strawn District. She was preceded in death by another
Magnolia, Sandra Nowak. She leaves behind two loving
Magnolias, Linda Whitefield and Jennifer Elmore.
Jane was also a crafter. She created stained glass art,
crocheted and made many beautiful scrapbooks. She was also
a competitor who loved any kind of game. One of her
favorites was bocci ball.
Jane leaves behind her mother, Jo Johnson of Ranger, Pat
Stewart, loving companion; one aunt, Pat Martin; one great-
uncle, Doug Johnson of Mineral Wells; several cousins and
hundreds of loving students whose lives were forever changed
because they knew Ms. K. She was preceded in death by her
father, Wallace, a brother Wayne Johnson (RHS-1971) and
a sister Judy Ann Johnson.