In Sept. of 1921, St. Rita's Parochial School was opened. Archbishop Gerken,
who was pastor of the newly erected St. Rita's Catholic Church, requested
seven Sisters from the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Ward, San Antonio,
Texas to assume charge of the new school. The anticipated enrollment of
seventy students soon became 125 with Mother Berchman as Superior. Other
sisters at St. Rita's were Mother Gabriel Marie, Sister Kiernan and Sister
Vincent de Paul. The program of the school included primary, elementary and
high school until 1931 when, because of a small enrollment, the high school
department was dropped. The school closed in 1952. Later the main school
building was moved to the campus of Ranger Junior College and became the
girls' dormitory. Years later it burned down. The other school building
is still standing and was used for boarders housed on the third floor, the
cafeteria, classrooms, and an auditorium. It is now the Parish Hall. In 1924,
a small school across from the church was established for Spanish-speaking
students. It was later closed and has been torn down.
St. Rita's school on Oddie St. Theta Tau House (RJC Girls' Dormitory)
ST. RITA'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL 1928 - Front Row (L-R): Earl Schnapp, Roy
Shaw, Whitney Dan Purcell, Joe Kinney, Danny McKay, Ogie Swift, Lewis
Maher, Frank Brahaney, Jack Hodges, Morris Leveille, Paul Gavin, Pete
Brashier.
Second Row: Mary Shaw, Betty Sullivan, Ruth Hazard, Margaret Gavin,
Esta Ivon Smith, Lucy Ready, Rita Mooney, ? Hart, ? O'Donnell, Rita
Gallagher, Betty Jo Westfall, Charles Dyar, Tommy Smith, Clease
Bourdeau, Cledith Bourdeau, Lettie Simmons, June Brahaney.
Third Row: Patsy Dyer, Francis Hart, Jack Mooney, Frank Conley, 'Bud'
Stevenson, Francis Fengler, Bill Bourdeau, ?, Edward Maher, Dougles
Hart, Thomas Maher, Betty Jean Kinney.
Fourth Row: Mary Alice Yonker, Virginia Dyar, Mary Frances Ready,
Catherine Jane Conley, Betty Jean McMillen, ?, Jane Milliken, Jackie
Edwards, Amelia Collins, Mary Rose O'Neil, Dorothy Jean Cleveland, ?
Schnapp, Otis Westfall, ? , Peggy O'Donnell.
Fifth Row: Claire Dyar, ? , Margaret Collins, Mary Louise Stevenson,
Libby Cleveland, Frances Bourdeau, ? , ? , Agnes Higginbotham, Cecilia
Collins.
Top Row: Margaret Yonker, Velda Herring, Emma Hannold.
Top Row Boys: Francis McLaughlin, Peter Clements, John o'Leary, Fred
Yonker, Richard Conley, James Higginbotham.
ST. RITA's SCHOOL in 1945 - Top Row (L-R): Charlie Campbell (RHS-1949),
Anita Carlin (RHS-1950), deceased), Nancy Phillips (RHS-1949), Bernice
Bagwell (RHS-1950), ? ,Clara Mae Jacoby (RHS-1952)
2nd Row from Top: ? ,Betty M. Davenport (RHS-1951), Patsy Ann Frasier,
(RHS-1951), Betty Lou Hagaman (RHS-1952), Henry V. Davenport (?) (RHS-1951)
3rd Row from Top: ? , ? , ? , June Ann Morton (?) (RHS-1949), Dena Pulley
(RHS-1953)
4th Row from Top: Norma Jean Richardson (RHS-1955), Diane Irvin, Nancy ?,
Mary Wallace, ? , Kathyleen Richardson (RHS-1955)
5th Row from Top: ? , Dick or Richard ?, ? , Eddie Jacoby (RHS-1957), Mike
Dean, Bobby Weeks, Howard Oliver, Bob Downtain (RHS-1956)
Bottom Row: ? ,Betsy Simmons(?), Patsy Fleckinstein, Polly Rains, ? , ? ,
Wynona Rains (Cookie Kirkpatrick, Dianne Plumley, Gail Garner)
ST. RITA's SCHOOL in 1945-46 Front row: ?,?, Paula Angus (RHS-1957),?,?,
Eddie Jacoby (RHS-1957)
Middle row: ?,?,?,?,?,? (on the far right side)
Top row:?,?,?, Dena Pulley (RHS-1953),?, Clara Mae Jacoby (RHS-1952)
Note: Click on pictures to enlarge.
St. Rita's report card
Sister Brendan Marie O'Connor (1907-2005)
She was born in County Kerry, Ireland and
dedicated 57 years to teaching including
St. Rita's School in Ranger, Texas.
Sister Mary Josepha Rappold (1904-2006)
She was born in Huntington, West Virginia
and dedicated 54 years educating children
including St. Rita's School in Ranger,
Texas.
Sister Vincent de Paul
taught at St. Rita's
School for many years.
Sister Carmelita, Linda Plumley, Linda Plumley & Mother Fidelis
Mother Fidelis (Mexican school
in background)
St. Rita's Catholic Church
St. Rita's School-RHS Class of 1960
