Rachel Morse was born, Rachel Mendez, on August 15, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents, Dora and Trinidad are both deceased. Throughout her life she has been “Mrs. Durso”, “Mrs. Hebert” to generations of children. She even became “Mrs. Morse” to a group of students from Marshall Middle School after retirement.
Her years in education began shortly after her graduation in 1961 from Incarnate Word Academy in Houston, Texas where she coached girl’s athletics from 1962 to 1965 before moving to Beaumont.
Rachel began coaching at Assumption Catholic School in Beaumont in 1966 and joined the teaching staff there in 1971. She taught P.E., math, history and religion to students in grades 6th to 8th until 1983.
In 1984, she began teaching for the Beaumont Independents School District. In her 22 years with the district, she taught 2nd and 3rd grade, became an Elementary School Counselor, a Junior High School Assistant Principal and an Elementary School Principal. Her years in BISD were spent at Fehl, and Lucas Elementary, Vincent Middle School and Fletcher Elementary. Rachel retired as the first Hispanic Principal in 2006 from Fletcher.
Rachel entered Lamar University at the age of 31 and after nine years received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She continued her schooling receiving a Masters in Guidance and Counseling and a Masters in Administration Mid-Management. She provided a model for anyone wishing to get their education. She constantly shared with students her plight in securing her degrees and encouraged them to set goals and to stay in school.
Rachel’s love of children was no greater than it was to the greatest gift bestowed on her by God. Her most prized possession became her own children, Debbie, Phyllis, Al, Rachel and Frank. Her daughters always accused her of favoring the “boys” but she loved them all. The have been the greatest accomplishments of her life. Her love for her children was unconditional and everlasting.
It is from her children that she was granted the status of “Memaw”, a name given to her by her oldest grandchild, Madison. Then came Morgan, Brooke, Julia, Joseph and Benjamin. Her grandchildren provided her with an extension of her own beautiful children. She loved to play with them, travel with them, and visit with them.
Rachel has lived her life strong in faith. Through her toughest of times, she has never faltered in her love of God and in her belief of His goodness. She has walked the walk knowing that He was always by her side. She has also had a strong belief in the presence of St. Anthony. She believed that his presence has been with her from the moment of her own baptism at St. Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.
Rachel has three brothers, Freddie, Richard and Michael and one sister, Patricia. She has been a sister, a “bossy” one and at times, whether they liked it or not, a mother figure as well … as she was 16 and 17 when Patricia and Michael were both born. They and Richard lived with her for periods of time when they were growing up. Having been only two and three when she began having her own children, people many often mistook them as her own.
To her children, grandchildren, brothers, sister and nieces she leaves all that peace and joy can give, she leaves a remembrance that nothing can happen to them that they and their God cannot together handle and she leaves them with the knowledge that they have been a source of joy to her during her lifetime.
To all the children she has taught, counseled and reprimanded, she leaves the knowledge that she truly cared for them. She desired all the happiness and success to them that she wished for her own. They were, to her, no less than her own.
She leaves this life having lived a life of happiness. She thanks God for the presence of those who have loved her and she asks the He watch over all those that she loved and loves. Don’t cry for her – smile and find the peace that she reached and lived in her life. After all, to her every day was a “Zippity-Do-da Day”.
A gathering of Mrs. Morse’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 11, 2012, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. A private family burial will follow in San Marcos, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaumont Independent School District, Homeless Children Program, 3395 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
