Dr. Rosalind (Roz) Dorothy Gordon Ragans was born on February 28, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Ragans; father, Sidney Guy Gordon and mother, Beatrice (Zuckerman) Safier. Roz was a talented artist and always said her greatest masterpiece was her son, John Lee. She leaves behind her son and daughter-in-law, Ginger; grandson, Aaron and his wife, Mandy; step-mother, Carolyn Gordon-Loebig; and 3 sisters, Binnie Walterman, Linda Safier and Karen Borsky, and their families. Roz had many special friends in her life including, but not limited to, past students, colleagues, and the wonderful staff and residents at Benton House of Grayson where she lived the past 17 months.
Roz received her Bachelor of Fine Arts, CUNY-Hunter College, 1955, Master of Education, Georgia Southern College, 1967 and Doctor of Education, University Georgia, 1971. She was an art teacher for Union City (New Jersey) Board Education, 1956-1962; Chatham Board of Education, Savannah, Georgia, 1962-1964; art instructor, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 1964-1969; assistant professor, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 1969-1976; associate professor, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 1976-1989; professor emeritus, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, since 1989. She was an award-winning author who published a series of art textbooks with Glencoe, McGraw Hill and SRA titled, Arttalk, Understanding and Exploring Art, and Art Connections.
Roz was a member of the National Association of Educators (life), Georgia Association Educators (life), National Art Education Association (Southeastern Art Educator of Year 1991, National Art Educator of Year 1992), Georgia Art Education Association (Georgia Art Educator of Year 1990), Pilot Club International (Georgia district, Georgia Professional Handicapped Woman of Year 1988). Roz suffered from post-polio syndrome, but it never held her back from achieving greatness.
Upon learning of Roz’s death, one of her former students stated, “Her legacy will be carried on through hundreds of people, and her publications enhanced art in the lives of thousands. My mentor and a legend rests.” A colleague joined in with “We have lost a giant – and truly one of the mothers of art education.”
No funeral services to be held. A private celebration of life will be held with the residents at Benton House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John F. and Rosalind D. Ragans Art Education Scholarship at Georgia Southern University, GSU Foundation, P.O. Box 8040, Statesboro, GA 30460.
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