Marjorie E. Valentine, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her, went to be with the Lord on April 18, 2010.
Born Marjorie Estelle Childs in Needmore, AL, on August 2, 1931, “Marge” Valentine was a graduate of Troy State University in Troy, AL, and she received her Masters degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. While at Troy State, she met Lonnie Darrell Valentine, Jr., and the two were married on August 10, 1952. They moved to San Antonio shortly thereafter and remained happily married for the next 48 years, until Lonnie’s death on May 19, 2000.
Upon her arrival in San Antonio, Marge went to work for the San Antonio Light. She left the Light when she accepted a teaching position at Edgewood High School, launching what would become a distinguished teaching career. In 1958, she took a break from teaching to start a family, during which time all three of her children were born. She then returned to work, teaching at Sam Rayburn Junior High School in the Northside Independent School District, where she taught English, Spanish and Math. In 1967, when John Jay High School opened, she moved to Jay where she taught Spanish and Math, including advanced mathematics courses such as Trigonometry and Calculus. She was eventually named head of the Math Department. In 1984, she was presented with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics by President Ronald Reagan during a special ceremony at the White House. In 1993, she was promoted to the Central Office of Northside to serve as District Math Supervisor.
With the development and introduction of personal computers in the early 1980’s Marge immediately recognized their value to the fields of Mathematics and Teaching, and she jumped into the world of computing as an early adopter. She taught herself the basics of programming and was soon creating important software for teachers and students. This ultimately led to the founding of Valentine Software, and later with partner Libby Chaskin, to the formation of L &M Instructional Resources, Inc., a company which specializes in teaching software designed to help students learn and review for standardized tests.
Despite her many outstanding career accomplishments and accolades, Marge always put “her kids” first. Over the years, many of those she taught returned to personally let her know just how important her influence as a teacher had been on their lives and personal successes.
She was also a kind, generous and loving woman who kept her family, friends, church and faith in the forefront of her highest priorities. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she gave her children a tremendous head start in life by taking the time to teach each of them to read and write, even before they entered the first grade. She was also fiercely proud of her children and grandchildren, making time to attend everything from music lessons and band contests to many other milestone events in their lives, and she helped ensure that all of her children and grandchildren had the opportunity to attend college.
Along with her husband Lonnie, Marge had been an active member of Pilgrim Presbyterian Church since 1956, an institution to which the two of them devoted tremendous resources, energy and time. Over the years, Marge served as a member of the Session, the Women’s Circle, on various church committees, and she occasionally taught Sunday School Classes.
Marjorie Valentine is survived by her children, Alan and Connie Valentine of Nashville, TN, Kathy Valentine of San Antonio, TX, and Rick and Jeanie Valentine of Houston, TX; grandchildren Shane Valentine, Allie Valentine, Nathan Valentine and Travis Smith of San Antonio, TX; Carrie and Matthew Fischel of Edmond, OK; Brandon Valentine of Nashville, TN; and Chelsea and Bennett Wills of Baltimore, MD; and by her brother and sister-in-law J. W. and Voncile Childs of Alabama, her sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Frank Gorman of Alabama; her sister-in-law Francis Childs and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lonnie and her brother Charles Childs.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to Eva Uribe, Carole Washburn, and CHRISTUS Homecare and Hospice for their loving care and support.
A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Donald F. Wales will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to CHRISTUS VNA Hospice of San Antonio Inpatient Unit, 4241 Woodcock Drive, Suite A-100; San Antonio, Texas 78228.