Karlene Jane O'Hern

Retired educator Karlene Jane Hayes Snell O'Hern, 83, of Cataula, GA, passed away Thursday 9, 2014 at her residence. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2014 beginning at 2:00 P.M. EST, at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Rd. Columbus, GA. A private interment will follow service Reverend David Howell will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. EST. Jane was born in Vermont in 1930 and educated in Norman Rockwell type one room school with 8 grades, the same school her father attended as a child. Upon graduation from Groveton, N.H. High School, she attended Vermont Junior College earning an Associate degree in Art. She was also a member of the United States Naval Reserve during those two years, earning the rank of Seaman First Class. After attending Lyndon State College, earning a BS degree in Elementary Education, she taught first grade in Springfield, Vermont. After her marriage to Charles F. Snell, the couple moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where she was employed by the Department of Defense at Maxwell Air Force Base, teaching first grade children of Air Force Personnel. Relocating to Columbus, in 1957, she was employed by the Department of Defense at Fort Benning, where she taught first grade until her retirement in June of 2004. Her tenure at Fort Benning included the opening of the Frank R. Loyd Elementary School in 1959 where she taught continuously in room 101 for 45 years, giving her a total 52 years of professional service to students of United States Military personnel. Jane was president of the Benning Education Association in 1959 – 1960 school year, as well as continuing member of GEA and NEA. During her teaching career she earned both a Master's Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision at Columbus State University and Troy State University. She served on many state and local educational committees. She was presented with the Home of the Infantry; Fort Benning award for excellence medal for her work in spearheading the program at Loyd School that honored the military parent at a reception entitled Soldiers Breakfast. In 2000 the library at Loyd School was dedicated to her for her continued dedication to Loyd School and its students. Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Judge Karl E. Hayes and Mary E. Hayes, of Guildhall, VT, as well as by her husband's Charles F. Snell and Floyd C. O'Hern, Sr. Left to celebrate her memory is her son, Karl W. Snell (Dianna Love Snell) of Peachtree City, GA, also surviving step family, Dianne (Mike) McCallister of Mauk, GA, Floyd C. O'Hern (Gloria) of Columbus, GA; granddaughter, Michelle Atcheson (Gary) of Mauk, GA; grandson, James P. O'Hern of Phenix City, AL; great granddaughters, Ada and Kayla Atcheson of Mauk, GA. Many fond memories are left with her longtime friends Velma Smith, Leland Ennis of Cabot, VT, as well as June Tinker, Lorri McGuire, and Cathy Tuggle, along with many friends in the field of education. She enjoyed the many weekly get-to-gethers, playing cards and traveling. Jane was an Emeritus Member of the Eastern Star Chapter at Fort Benning. She was President of the Ding-A-Ling Band, a group of dedicated seniors who volunteered their talents to area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Those so desiring may contribute to the charity of their choice.