Rhetta Mears

Rhetta Yerby Mears March 3, 1934 - November 27, 2010 Teacher, Mentor, Friend Rhetta Mears was an inspiration to all she met, touching the lives of hundreds of students in a positive way. She was called a beacon in the night for aspiring learners of all ages. A student said "thank you and bless you for all the love, kindness, and lessons that I carry with me." Rhetta was Director of the Kindergarten at St. James Methodist Church for 9 years and taught for 27 years at the Galloway School. She was born in Fayette, AL and was the only child of Bradley and Clara Yerby. She grew up in a loving and close knit family. She attended the University of Alabama where she was Residential Hall Counselor to the first Black Student who enrolled at the University of Alabama in June of 1963. She married her best friend and love, Billy Mears in 1964 and they pursued together lives of service in the area of education, lives of patriotism in the Reserve Officers Association and establishing a loving, Christian home for themselves, their son, Bradley Roy Mears, and their many friends. Rhetta loved nature and seemed to be closest to God in nature and while working with young people. Rhetta is survived by her husband, Billy Mears, her son, Bradley Roy Mears, and several cousins in Alabama and Mississippi. She is much loved and will be dearly missed. The family invites all of Rhetta's friends to come celebrate her life with them, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to The Galloway School. Viewing will be Wednesday, December 1st at H.M. Patterson & Sons, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel from 6pm to 8pm and Memorial Service to be held at St. James United Methodist Church at 1pm on Thursday, December 2nd.