Lynne Humphries Gonzales

Lynne Humphries Gonzales was born on April 13, 1949, in Hartsville, South Carolina, the cherished eldest daughter of Dewey Humphries and Dorothy “Dot” Johnson Humphries. Her early years were filled with love and care, especially from her beloved babysitter, Edna, before her family relocated to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. There, Lynne was lovingly raised alongside her sisters and cousins near her maternal grandparents, Roy and Dorothy Johnson, and her great-grandparents, Charles and Nellie Neff.

Lynne’s life was shaped by a profound legacy of faith, resilience, and service. Her mother, a WWII U.S. Army nurse, and her father, a WWII U.S. Army veteran and successful restaurateur, instilled in her the values of hard work, perseverance, and compassion. Her father’s beloved Holiday House restaurant in Mt. Vernon became a local institution, and Lynne carried his entrepreneurial spirit into her own endeavors especially as she later managed her husband's business Gonzales Graphics.

A proud graduate of Mt. Vernon High School, Lynne pursued higher education with determination, earning a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Iowa, an M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina, and a Special Education Teaching Credential from the University of California, Riverside. She found immense pride in the academic achievements of her family, celebrating three generations of women earning degrees: her mother’s bachelor’s, her own master’s, and her daughter, Dr. Jennifer “Jenn” Lynne Carson, achieving her doctorate.

Her love for history and current events was sparked early, beginning with a family visit to the Truman Presidential Library, where she met President Harry Truman. Throughout her life, she experienced pivotal moments in history, from attending the Chicago Seven Trial to narrowly escaping harm during the 1970 Sly & the Family Stone Concert Riot in Grant Park. On September 11, 2001, Lynne endured every mother’s nightmare, frantically searching for news of her only child, Jenn, who was just two miles from the Pentagon.

As a young woman, Lynne traveled to Mexico, where she immersed herself in the study of Mayan and Aztec cultures. Participating in archaeological digs solidified her passion for history. However, a profound moment while tutoring a young Native American boy changed her path. Reflecting in her journal, she wrote: “A child gave me a pine cone as a gift for teaching him to read. That was when I decided the gift of a living child is more important than the relics of the dead.”

This epiphany led Lynne to a career in special education, beginning in 1976 at a Bureau of Indian Education school in Sells, Arizona, on the sovereign land of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Her experience there profoundly shaped her understanding of education and cultural preservation.

In 1984, Lynne met Michael “Mike” Gonzales, a decorated U.S. Army combat medic and devout Christian. Their love story began near Mission San Juan Capistrano and became a testament to God’s grace and redemption. That same year, Lynne committed her life to Christ, and together she and Mike built a marriage grounded in faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Lynne dedicated nearly two decades to teaching in the San Bernardino Unified School District, primarily at Del Rosa and Lytle Creek Elementary Schools. She was beloved by students and colleagues alike for her patience, compassion, and unwavering commitment. As a union representative for San Bernardino Teachers Association, she fought tirelessly for her peers with integrity.

Her personal interests reflected her insatiable curiosity and deep reverence for life. A lifelong lover of history, theology, literature, and music, Lynne cherished memories of attending live performances by George Harrison and Eric Clapton. She even once charmed Ray Charles at LAX with her humor saying, "I've got Georgia on my mind, too." Inspired by her poet grandmother and a childhood meeting with Carl Sandburg, Lynne also became a poet, crafting verses that reflected her deep love for nature and spirituality.

Lynne’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. A survivor of spousal abuse in her first marriage, she shared her story on national television to empower others, urging: “If you are scared, get help and leave.” Her courage and compassion inspired countless individuals to seek safety and healing.

Lynne is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, Mike; her beloved daughter, Jenn; her sisters, Cathy and Marcia; her cousins, Janice, Marnee, and Christy; her nieces, Annette, Shawn, Cynthia, Mary, and Cheyenne; her in-laws, Charlie, Barbara, Cecilia, Vivian, Laura, and Marie; and her dedicated caregivers, Jason, Adreia, Karen, Jessie and Anna. She also leaves behind the many students whose lives she touched with her wisdom and warmth.

Lynne’s favorite hymn, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” reflected her awe for her Savior and the beauty of His creation. While her passing leaves an ache in the hearts of those who loved her, her family takes comfort knowing she is free from her 15+ year battle with dementia and at peace in eternal life, reunited with her Lord and Savior.

Lynne will be laid to rest with honor at Riverside National Cemetery. She will be buried with a Bible and in the blush-pink wedding dress she lovingly designed, symbolizing her creativity, beauty, and enduring love.

Her legacy of faith, courage, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

— 2 Timothy 4:7