Josephine Vaun McHan, 89, of Bryan, Texas, passed away peacefully Monday, January 18, 2010, at the Borderbrook Home where she resided. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m., Thursday, January 21, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, with Leslie Boone officiating.
A second visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 22, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, TX. A graveside service will be at Clear Creek Cemetery near Bangs, TX on Saturday, January 23, at 11 a.m.
Josephine was born February 2, 1920, to Levi and Elizabeth Spain in Brown County. Through the rigors of the Great Depression in the thirties, her parents managed to save enough money to put Josephine through college so she could become a teacher. After World War II, she married J. Muris McHan on January 20, 1946. The couple lived various places in Texas early on but settled back in Brownwood to be near her parents. It was there that they raised their family. Josephine retired from Brownwood Public Schools in May 1985 after 27 years of service. She was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, with her final membership at the Cavitt Street Church of Christ in Bryan.
Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Carrie.
Survivors include son Doug and his wife Cher of Bryan; son Ron and his wife Pat of Flower Mound, Tx; grandchildren Gina DeVita of Houston, Michael Torkildsen of Austin, and Jay Proske of College Station; great grandchild Cody Gadler of Houston; sister-in-laws Frankye McHan, Barbary Murphy, Joyce McHan, Lou McHan, Lyla McHan, and June Raney; brother-in-law W.C. McHan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Pam, Sandra, Ester, and Deb at the Borderbrook Home for their loving care of Josephine. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to a charity of your choice.
I will miss you so much Aunt Jo. I have your Birthday card, Valentine card and Chinese New Year card on my dresser ready to send you………I guess you will now receive greater blessings in heaven. I will always remember your funny sense of humor..you always made me laugh. I am writing this TO YOU…somehow you will hear my message!!! Love Loretta
May the Lord’s arms of love and mercy envelope you in His promise of eternal life through His grace. I have such warm memories of Aunt Jo and the great times we spent at her house and at all the McHan reunions. I love to remember the vision of Ron and I drinking our quart size glasses of milk at your table in Brownwood while Doug hovered close by to see if he could get in on our next adventure. Aunt Jo was the perfect target for my teasing because she could “give back” better than she received. I give thanks for the legacy of faith that she leaves behind in all the students and young people that she influenced through her years of dedicated service in the schools. May His peace ever reign in your hearts knowing that your mother is in the arms of the Lord. Jim
Heaven is now a livelier place with the arrival of Josephine. What a wonderful, fun loving lady she was. Can’t count the great times we had together. Her love of the game of “42” is seared in my memory, and she would play as long as she could get 3 other people to the table.
I never knew her to be at a loss for words, and her quick comebacks are legendary.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
Doug and Ron, how fortunate you were to have had her for a Mother.
I loved her dearly, and it is a comfort to know that we will meet again.
Frankye McHan
I have such fond memories of Aunt Jo. When I was quite young and visiting Aunt Jo and Uncle Muris, I would sit beside her and watch her put on her make-up. She always made me feel so special whenever we were visiting. Later when I decided to become a teacher she gave me such confidence in my choice. I hope I was as much a positive influence in my students lives I know Aunt Jo was to her students. I will miss her.
doug, cher & family –
i am sorry for the loss of your mom. she was definitely a decent, genuine, kind and fun person. i remember her well and i appreciate the opportunity for being able to know her. you both are in my thoughts often and especially at this time.
i forgot to include my e-mail address. again, my thoughts are with you.
Doug and Ron, I know this is a terrible time for you, and I pray that God’s healing grace helps you through the loss of your beloved Mother. But, I also want you to know that Jo was a special part of my life from the day I met her, in 1968, as I began my teaching career. She taught me love, by example; grace, through showing forgiveness; faith, by always believing in God’s perfect plan; and humor, through her wit and laughter. She was always my greatest advocate, and told me many, many times how smart I was (as I made dumb mistake after mistake!) She could make me laugh as I cried, and she would put those little arms around me and say, “I love you,” every day. My life without her would have been so much poorer, and she will live in my memory all the days of my life. To my Jo, I say, “Give them laughter in Heaven, you sweet thing. I look forward once again to being the new teacher (with a ponytail) who grasps your hand for guidance! What a glorious day that will be.”
Wonderful women and teacher. I will always remember her laugh, her smile and her fairness with all of her students. My condolences to you as her family.
I lived in Brownwood, Texas from 1982 – 1985. I taught 5th grade at Northwest Elementary School which is where I met Jo. She also taught 5th grade and we began a three year friendship that meant so much to me. She was my guide, my friend, my co-worker, and my helper. What a wonderful lady she was – friendly, great teacher, loved the children, and all her coworkers thought the world of her. She was certainly a special lady to me, being my mentor and I’ve never forgotten her. I now live in Brownwood again, and I’m supervising student teachers in the very area where Jo and I taught. May you rest in peace, Jo – you’ll be missed by many.
I was one of Mrs.Mchan’s students at North Elementary in the 60’s. It was such a blessing to have her in my life. I had low self esteem and she always made me feel like everything would be ok! She was such an asset to education. I know all her students felt the same! I am blessed to have known her and you blessed to have had her for a mother, grandmother, aunt and friend! She is in glory with the Father and making everyone smile! May Gods loving arms be felt by you all at this.
Doug, I am just now reading about the passing of your mother. I just want you to know I am thinking of you and your family. We had some good times at Northwest and your mother’s sense of humor is the first thing that comes to mind. I loved teaching with her. I still have the brass bell you gave me for Christmas one year. I remember you so well and how much I enjoyed teaching you and having you for a friend hope you are well and happy. Warm regards. Nadean Orton George