Leona R McFarlin

Leona Rouse McFarlin 70, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2015 after a 6 year battle with Dementia/Alzheimer. Leona was born in New Orleans, La. on March 19, 1944. Soon thereafter, Leona moved to El Paso in 1944 with her family where she has resided ever since. Leona graduated from Austin High School in 1961 and immediately enrolled at Texas Western College (UTEP). Leona graduated in three years (1964) with a Business Administration degree. Leona immediately went into the teaching field that lasted 35 years. She began her teaching career in 1964 at the Manpower Development Training Center as a secretarial instructor. In 1965, Leona moved to the EPISD and started teaching business education at Coronado High School. In 1971, Leona moved to Burges High School teaching both history and business education. In 1972, Leona transferred to Jefferson High School where she spent the next 22 years as a business Co-Op teacher, placing students in office positions throughout the city of El Paso. In 1994 Leona moved Irvin High School and served there in the same capacity until her retirement in the fall of 1999. Throughout her 35 years of teaching, Leona received numerous awards for her teaching and also has served on many State and local committees working to better Vocational Co-Op Programs for all students. After her retirement in 1999, Leona served as a volunteer instructor for 7 years at the Christian Women’s Job Corp of El Paso, teaching computer skills, and social skills, and money management. Leona also worked as a secretary at White Sands Missile Range from 1961 to 1962 and as an English Secretary at the Baptist Spanish Publishing House from 1962 to 1963.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents Harvey L. Rouse and Deola Yates Rouse, and 2 brother-in-laws James Ernest Sipes and Paul Kenneth Dano. Leona is survived by her husband Larry R. McFarlin, daughter Nicole M. Vass (Buddy) of Waco, Texas, 2 sisters, Elizabeth R. Sipes of El Paso and Shirley S. Dano of Horseshoe Bay, Texas 1 niece, Elizabeth Lee Mitchell (Mike) of Buda, Texas and 1 nephew, Paul H. Dano of Round Rock, Texas. Leona is also survived by her extended family in Cochrane, Wisconsin. The family would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the administration and staff of Sunridge Cielo Vista. A special thank you goes out to the very special and loving staff of the Enhanced Memory Care Unit of Sunridge Cielo Vista. In addition, the family would like to thank the staff of Envision Hospice, especially Dr. Muneer Assi, Dr. Jesus Gomez, Vannessa, Celina, Jessica, Joan, Liz and David for their loving care and support for the past 22 months. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 5 to 8 P.M. at Harding - Orr & McDaniel Funeral Home, 320 Montana Ave. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 805 Montana on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 11 A.M., with Dr. David Lowrie Jr., Dr. Robert Nickell and Jim Cleaveland officiating. Pallbearers will be Paul H. Dano, Arturo Gamboa, Rod Ross, Charles Smith, Mark Jossee and John Williams, Honorary deceased. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery on Dyer Street. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Women’s Job Corps of El Paso, P.O. Box 21, El Paso, TX 79940-0021, or to Envision Hospice, 8929 Viscount Blvd. El Paso, TX 79925-1201. Arrangements by Harding – Orr & McDaniel Funeral Home, 320 Montana Ave.