Jean Lessman

Jean Lessman, age 78, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at her son’s residence in Woodway. Memorial services will be Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 6pm at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Paul Carpenter officiating.

She was born Barbara Jean Walker to Bess and George Walker in Waco, Tx on August 21, 1933. Jean graduated from Waco High School in 1950. In her unending desire to help others she earned her nursing degree at Baylor University and worked at Hillcrest Hospital prior to working for Dr. Lawrence Canning. After serving as a nurse for many years, she returned to Baylor and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and began her teaching career as an English Teacher at University High School in 1972. After being a well liked, influential and respected classroom teacher for 12 years, she went on to earn her master’s degree and became a school administrator. She served as assistant principal at Jefferson-Moore High School from 1985-1987. From 1987-1997 she served as a principal at Tennyson Middle School, Lake Air Middle School and Waco High Ninth Grade Center. She retired in 1997. Then in 2000, Mrs. Lessman returned to be an assistant principal at Waco High School. For many years during her career, Jean was also a reserve deputy for the McLennan County Sherriff’s Department.

Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally, as well as sharing good times with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband of 20 years, Robert Lee Reagan; her daughter, Colleen Milam and her brother, Burney Walker.

She is survived by her husband, Wilburn Lessman, whom she married August 1, 1981; her son, Robert L. Reagan Jr. and his wife Amy of Woodway; her step-children, Debby Stewman of Waco, Judy Heickman and her husband Tom of San Antonio and Neil Lessman and his wife Gaila of China Spring; her grandchildren, Lindsay, Trey and Samantha Reagan of Woodway, Marshall Stewman and wife Stephanie of Dallas, Will and Austin Glover of San Antonio, Madison Heickman of San Antonio, Josh Lessman and wife Liz of China Spring, Justin Lessman and wife Christy of China Spring and Jeremy Lessman and wife Michelle of Carrollton; her great grandchildren, Leighton Stewman and Zayne, Jacob, Wyatt and Kenzie Lessman; her sisters, Virginia Dickson of Carrollton and JoAnn McMahon of Portland, OR; numerous nieces and nephews and her wonderful group of lifelong friends, AKA “The Board”.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Jean’s honor to WISD Education Foundation c/o Lisa Saxenian, 2020 North 42nd Street, Waco, Tx 76710.