Jean Rusk

Mildred “Jean” Eckels Rusk passed away on Tuesday December 13th surrounded by her family at the Christopher House in Austin, Texas after a battle with cancer at the age of 84. Jean was born in Temple, Texas to Robert and Mildred Eckels on February 27, 1927. She graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston in 1943 and thereafter attended Sam Houston State College in Huntsville and the University of Houston where she obtained her degree in elementary education in 1950. She taught elementary music at Mission ISD during college and after obtaining her degree, taught third and fourth grade in Woodsboro from 1950 to 1953 and in Alvin from 1953 to 1955. From 1956 to 1968, Jean owned her own kindergarten in Alvin where she taught countless students; one of her fondest memories.

After moving to Austin in 1968, she taught third grade at Eanes ISD until 1971 and then attended the University of Texas where she obtained her Masters in Elementary Education in 1976. Until her retirement in 2001 she taught third grade, sold real estate, worked with the Texas Agriculture extension agency and helped raise her grandchildren. Jean was an avid music fan and especially loved the Philharmonic Orchestras. To the end, she played piano and sang her favorite hymns. Her true love was raising her family and doing everything “together.” She taught her family about love, faith and values. She was surrounded by family her entire life and in her final moments.

She was preceded in death by daughter Nancy Jean Rusk, brothers Paul G. (Buck) Eckels and Robert Y. (Bob) Eckels of Houston, sister R.L. (Joy) Hershey of Comanche. She is survived by daughter Janet Rusk Adamek and husband Gilbert, Jeff Rusk and wife Susan, James Rusk and Sabrina Clay, grandchildren Jessica Ethridge, James Scott Rusk, Kenna Cecille Rusk, Camry Jean Rusk, great grandchildren Emma and Macy Ethridge and Aiden Rusk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our special thanks to Linda Thompson who helped care for Mother these past few months, and the staff at Hospice Austin /Christopher House for their kind and compassionate care.

Memorial services are to be held at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 and at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27th, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Houston, Hospice Austin at Christopher House in Austin or to the First United Methodist Church in Georgetown Stained Glass Window Fund.

Arrangements by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.