Jeanne Wakeman passed away on October 1, 2021 at the age of 96.  She was born on May 22, 1925 in Sipe Springs, Texas to Leo and Teddy Ida (Bell) Williams.  She valued education and earned degrees from Hillsboro Junior College, Texas Wesleyan University, and Midwestern State University.  She married Fred Wakeman on August 28, 1948.

During World War II, she served her country and worked in Washington as a "Rosie the Riveter" assembling airplanes. Following WWII, she was a passionate educator and spent her career advocating for kids of all abilities. Before children with disabilities were educated in public schools, she worked as a speech therapist at the Children's Center in Wichita Falls and as the coordinator of the deaf education program at Crockett Elementary.  Following those experiences, she was a primary influencer in implementing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA/public law 94-142), which guaranteed a public education for kids with disabilities.  She continued her passion for kids with disabilities and was selected as the initial Special Education Director for the Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD).  After retiring from a long and prolific career at the WFISD, she worked several years for Head Start, before developing the Early Head Start program and serving as its inaugural director.  She was honored for her prestigious career in education with the naming of the Jeanne Wakeman Early Head Start Center and introduction into the North Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Jeanne was also very involved in the Wichita Falls community through her membership and service at many organizations, including a charter member of Saint Mark's United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Zeta Sigma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, CASA, Altrusa, ARC, Girl Scouts, Work Services Corporation, YWCA, and others. In addition to education and community involvement, Jeanne loved making porcelain dolls, their clothes, and spent many hours with the Busy Bee Quilters.

She was proceeded in death by her mother, father, and husband.  She is survived by her three daughters: Sandra (Graham) Ware, Teresa (Steve) Smith, and Melanie (Jon) Walker; nine grandchildren: Charlie (Soprina) Ware, Philip (Angie) Ware, Preston (Ashley) Smith, Paul (Sara) Walker, Tyler (Joshua) Smith, Amber (David) Swanson, Cody (Sarah) Smith, Dolores Morrissey, John (Carlene) Carrillo; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson.

Graveside services will be at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11 AM.

The family suggests making memorials to the ARC of Wichita County or a charity of your choice.