Adelaide Clements Heckman, 94, entered eternal life with her heavenly Father on Monday morning, April 28th, in her home surrounded by her loved ones. There will be a memorial service at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home on Monday, May 5th at 4 pm with a reception to follow. The family will have a private graveside service prior to the memorial at Hillcrest Cemetery.
Adelaide was born on July 13, 1930, on Galveston Island to Arthur Bassett and Mary Loretta Clements. Her family moved to Temple in 1938 with her father’s position as superintendent of the Southern Division of the Sante Fe Railroad. She grew up on the Northside of Temple in the Historic District. She was a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal church and active on the Women’s Altar Guild in her earlier years. She served in many capacities in Women’s ministry at Christ Church.
Adelaide survived a long illness with polio at the age of 15. This delayed her graduation from Temple High School until 1948. Despite her illness, she was president of the National Honor Society, participated in District Declamation Contests, was Parliamentarian of F.H.A, on the “Cotton Blossom” staff, and in Chemistry and Spanish clubs. Prior to her illness with polio resulting in a debilitated leg, she loved being a “tomboy” and riding her horse, Cobina, all over the northside of Temple.
She graduated in three years from the University of Texas in January 1952. She was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She earned a master’s degree from Baylor University in August of 1969. She was a Master Teacher employed by Temple Independent School District from 1964 to 1990. She taught 3rd grade and special education at Lanier Elementary School. She transferred to Scott Elementary School to teach second grade. She spent 26 years caring for and inspiring many young children throughout Temple.
Upon retirement, Adelaide enjoyed many club memberships: Domestic Science Club, Arno Art League, Literary Guild, Wednesday Wine club, and playing bridge. She also took her beloved dachshund, Sasha, to nursing homes to comfort residents.
Adelaide was blessed to marry Joseph McDonald Paulk, a dear friend from high school, in June of 1989. They enjoyed 7 years of life together before his passing in 1996. In January of 2004, Adelaide was blessed again to marry Robert Heckman. They enjoyed traveling, hosting friends in their home, serving in their church community, and companionship with each other until his death in December of 2015.
Adelaide dearly loved and served her family, and Mimi was her favorite title. She found much joy in cooking for friends, her church community, and club meetings. She had the gift of hospitality and generosity. She was a brilliant conversationalist and caring listener. She was tenacious and loved to laugh. She inspired young children to try their best in school and to work hard to succeed. She approached life with much resilience and lived to the fullest with a vibrant spirit every day of her nearly 95 years. Words cannot adequately express the inspiration she was to so many! She was a child of God, faithful wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother, dedicated employee, and true friend to many. She loved God and modeled loving and serving others well.
She is survived by her children Melanie Garcia, William Lusk, Rosemary and Byron Baird; grandchildren Addie Baird and Jason Earles, Audrey and Tim Davis, Nicholas and Michelle Rivera, and Chandler Lusk. She was blessed with three great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Flora May and Ernie Holloway, nephew Robert Holloway and wife Jan, and nephew Mickey Guckian. She is survived by a niece, Loretta Guckian, and her children Mark, Kenneth and Kristen Guckian.
The family wants to thank the loving care given to her since 2017 by her special helper also known as extended family, Raquel Beasley. We also want to thank the excellent care given to her since December of 2023 by the team at Amedisys Hospice. They helped lift her burdens on the journey heavenward.
Memorials may be made in memory of Adelaide Clements Heckman for a scholarship through the Temple Education Foundation by check to 401 Santa Fe Way, Temple, TX 76501, by visiting the website at www.templeeducationfoundation.org/donate/, or by email to [email protected].
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