Obituary of Cynthia Nelle Witmer

Cynthia Nelle Witmer of Clarksville, Texas died on December 12, 2015 after a brief illness. She was born on February 2, 1935 in Clarksville, Texas, the daughter of Max Oliver Witmer and Gladys Miami Adams Witmer who preceded her in death. She graduated from Clarksville High School in 1953. She attended Kilgore College where she was a member of the world-renowned, Kilgore Rangerettes and graduated with an associate’s degree in 1955. As a life-long member of McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church, she spent decades singing in the choir and performing in the bell choir. She managed her family’s business, Rental Services, from 1970 – 1990. In 1996 she started a second career as a paraprofessional at Clarksville High School where the success and education of the community’s students became her passion. She was a champion of both students and staff. She retired from Clarksville Independent School District on November 30, 2015. Cynthia was a woman of deep curiosity and keen observation. Her passion for lifelong learning was fueled largely by the interest of those she loved and cared about most. The interests of her children and grandchildren became her interests. Their causes became her causes. She knew how to take the time to enjoy nature and marveled at the vastness of creation. She had a particular love for birds and cats. Her passion for music is a thread woven throughout her life and the lives of her family. An avid sports fan, she loved to follow and cheer for her favorite teams, whether high school, college or professional. She particularly loved to keep up with the Clarksville Tigers, the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and the TCU Horned Frogs. Her favorite event on the sports calendar was always the NCAA March Madness Tournament. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret Elaine Ragsdill, Mary Louise McClelland and brother, Max Terry Witmer. She is survived by her daughter, Marianne Whitehouse and husband, Mark of Clarksville, David Max Bean of Clarksville, and Byron Adams Bean and wife, Yvonne Nystrom Bean of San Juan Capistrano, California. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Emily Louise Whitehouse and husband, Mike Smith of Honolulu, HI, Andrew Mark Whitehouse and wife, Amy Shields Whitehouse of Texarkana, Texas, Sarah Elaine Whitehouse of Houston, Texas, and Lara Alene Whitehouse of Dallas, Texas, Megan Lynn Lamm and husband, Chris of Wylie, Texas, Ashley Denise Bean of Washington, DC, and Reagan D’Anne Bean of San Juan Capistrano, California. Great-grandchildren are David Adam Whitehouse of Honolulu Hawaii, Ian Mark Whitehouse and Owen Reid Whitehouse of Texarkana,Texas, Lexi Breann Bean and Ellie Mae Lamm of Wylie, Texas. For those who wish to donate in her memory, the family has chosen Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society in Paris, Texas. Memorial services are set for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 17, 2015, at McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. Honorary Pallbearers are, Sai Medi, Chris Vaughn, Steve Cecil, Glenn Edwards, Melinda Sanders, Chuck Dawson, Vic Bishop, James Vaughan and Rev. James Brown. Online condolences may be made to the Witmer family at www.clarksvillefuneralhome.com .