Portrait of Nell Hill Rhea

Mrs. Nell Rhea was born on October 6, 1883 in Dailey, Texas. She grew up in Dailey until the community closed down the public schools in the town. It was at that time in her life that she moved to live with her uncle in Forney, Texas.

Mrs. Rhea graduated from Forney High School as the school’s Valedictorian in 1902. She taught at Forney High School for two years before attending North Texas Normal College.

Following her education at North Texas Normal College, Mrs. Rhea taught school in Sanger, Texas for one year. She returned to Forney and married Frank B. Rhea in 1910.

Mrs. Rhea returned to the classroom where she taught primary school in Forney. Her daughter, Carolyn, was born in 1911 and her first son, Milton, was born in 1918.

After the birth of her youngest child, Frank B. Rhea Jr., Mrs. Rhea taught private school in her home from 1922-1928. She returned to teaching public school when her son Frank entered first grade in 1928. She began teaching second grade in 1929 and continued in Forney ISD as a second grade teacher until retiring in 1955.

When she retired, Mrs. Nell Rhea had taught for approximately 46 years in Forney, Texas.

“Nell Rhea was the kind of teacher every parent would want their child to have.”

Mrs. Judy Eudy

Source:
https://webapps.forneyisd.net/forney/newspost2/asp/newsposting.asp?id=1827

(Posting Date: 2/20/2009)