Georgeanne Kettler

Georgeanne (Georgie) Kettler, 78, of Clifton, Texas passed away on Thursday, November 24th at her home.  She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William (Butch) Kettler, her son, Jack, her two grandsons, Hutch and Jackson, and sister, Susie, and husband, John, and son, Reid.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father, George and Maxine Colvert.

Georgie was born in Camden, Arkansas on April 24, 1944.  Later the family moved to Cleburne, Texas, where she went to elementary school.  When her father bought a pharmacy in Clifton, they moved there where she finished high school.  After high school, she went to college at Abilene Christian College (Abilene Christian University as it is known now.)

On May 2, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Butch Kettler.  They moved to Houston where she completed her college career in education at The University of Houston.   She began her teaching career at Bastian Elementary in Houston where she taught until they decided to move back to Clifton in 1969.

On August 31, 1969, Jack Scott Kettler was born to Georgie and Butch.  He was loved and adored by his parents as well as his grandmother (Memaw) and his Aunt Susie.  Throughout the years they were a team who loved each other more than anything.

After Jack began elementary school, Georgie went back to teaching.  She found her place as a middle school English teacher at Clifton Middle School where she taught until her retirement.  She loved teaching, and she loved her students.  It went far beyond the classroom; she was part of their lives.  After she retired, she was so happy to see former students and hear about them.  Then she would share those stories with others as she expressed how proud she was of them.  If you were ever one of her students, you were in her heart forever.  You meant the world to her, and she cherished all the memories with you.

Georgie was a lifelong member of the church of Christ.  She was active in her Ladies’ Bible Class and enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School.  Her husband is an elder in the church, and she was honored to serve beside him.

Georgie loved to play bridge.  She played in several clubs, one lasting over 40 years.  Since retirement, she played in bridge clubs not only in Clifton, but in Meridian.  She always talked about her wonderful friends in all her bridge clubs.  She and her sister-in-law, Nelda Kettler, played in that 40+ years bridge club together.   Nelda was also like a sister to Georgie.  The two of them went through life together knowing that they were there for each other.  The two of them together could take care of anything.  Georgie was so blessed to have Nelda by her side.

Then there were The Three Musketeers:  Georgie, Kathy Carpenter, and Lori Powers.  Georgie was blessed with their friendship for so many years!  They played cards every day! They laughed and cried together. They were there for each other.  What a rare and beautiful friendship! 

Reading was also a huge hobby for Georgie.  She always had a book in her hand.  She loved discussing literature with Todd Kettler, her nephew.  They always had a great discussion or debate going on over the latest book.

The Kettler boys (Jack, Todd, and Mark) have always been close!  Jack and Mark are as close as brothers could be.  In recent years, Mark stepped up to lead as needed.  “He’s always there for Jack and the family; Mark brings everything together.” …Georgie’s words. 

Through the years Georgie and her sister have remained close.  There was nothing that either of them wouldn’t do for the other.  Oh, the stories they could tell!  Susie loved Georgie’s son, Jack, as her own.  Georgie loved Reid the same.  They were both blessed as sisters and with their sons.

Hutch and Jackson stole Georgie’s heart.  She loved them so much and would do anything for them.  She loved every minute of being a grandmother to them.  It was so important to her that they always remember how much she loved them.

Butch and Jack were the most important men in her life.  She loved them as they loved her.  They took care of her when she was sick and supported her through everything.  They were always there for her, and she knew it.  So many times, she would say how lucky she was to have them. 

Thank you, Lord, for blessing all of us with Georgie.  She was loved by so many people, and she gave love even more.

There is one thing about Georgie that most people do not know.  Almost 40 years ago, she started a family tradition which continued through all these years…Christmas night with family!  Not just the Butch and Smokey Kettler families, but all the Colverts (Maxine and Susie … and later John and Reid) Kathy Carpenter, Bert, Mary Jo, and Brad Maddux, Gary and Kathy Fossett, and Lori Powers.   True Family and Tradition for all of us.  Georgie created it!

As everyone knows, Georgie liked to have things her way, and she has carried this trait to the end.  It is her request not to have a public service.  Therefore, there will be a private memorial for immediate family only.  The family appreciates all the overwhelming displays of support, comfort, and love shown to them during this time.

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