Betty Joan Fletcher

Services for Mrs. Joan Cowan Fletcher, 74, of Pritchett are set for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 25, 2013, in the Chapel of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer with Dan Manuel officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in the Pritchett Community. Mrs. Fletcher passed away on Monday, July 22, 2013. Joan was born on April 28, 1939, in Gilmer, Texas to Truman Perry and Dorothy Belle Hogan Cowan. She began attending public school through sixth grade at Pritchett, then completed her school years at Gladewater ISD. After graduation, she attended Kilgore Jr. College and then North Texas State University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Mrs. Fletcher was a member was of Shady Grove Church of Christ. She was a retired teacher with a career that extended more than 40 years in Pittsburg, Harmony, Karnack and Union Hill. During her career she achieved many honors including numerous Teacher of the Year Awards from Union Hill ISD, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2004, and the coveted Globe Teacher of the Year Award in 2004. The last award was presented for her 25 years of service at UHISD, and she was excited to attend the graduation in June 2013 of the last class of third graders she taught while in that employment. The graduating class, the parents and teachers gave her special recognition and a standing ovation at that ceremony. Joan is survived by her husband, Max R. Fletcher; two daughters, Elaine Fletcher and Shawna Fletcher all of Pritchett; two sisters, Anita Rednick of Dallas and Sue Bates of White Oak; one brother, Perry Cowan of Pritchett; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Truman P. and Dorothy B. Cowan, and her grandparents. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 24, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.