Rose Ellen Ranson

1928 - 2023

Rose Ellen Ranson
December 1, 1928 - April 28, 2023
Rose Ellen Ranson, a retired English teacher at Alamo Heights High School, died peacefully in the early morning hours of April 28, 2023, in Bogart, Georgia. Born in Whitesville, MO, on December 1, 1928, she was the only child of O. H. Clark and May Louise Kelly Clark. After growing up in Savannah, Missouri, she graduated from Odessa High School and then earned a B.A. at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where she acquired the nickname "Suzie" from a role in a college play. She married Dr. Guy H. Ranson, then a religion professor at William Jewell, on her graduation day, May 24, 1949. In 1966 she earned a master's degree in English from Trinity University.
She taught English at Alamo Heights High School for 27 years from 1966 to 1993, serving for many years as Chair of the English Department. She delighted in helping her students develop their skills in writing and literary analysis and often regaled them with songs and dramatic readings. For 10 years, beginning in 1973, she took students on summer trips to Europe. After she left Alamo Heights, she taught English for one year at San Antonio College. She also led book discussion groups, at several venues, for many years .
She was a gifted singer with a beautiful contralto voice who performed in church choirs, musical productions, and San Antonio Symphony performances as a member of the Mastersingers, of which she served a term as president. She was a member of University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio from 1961 until her death, keeping her membership there even after she moved to Athens, Georgia in 2014. She was also a member of PEO, a philanthropic organization, for 75 years and served as president of Chapter BX in San Antonio. An avid fan of Jeopardy, she used her vast store of knowledge to answer most of the clues correctly.
To all who knew her, she was an entertaining, witty, and lively presence always ready to tell a story or break into song. She was also an unfailingly supportive, loving, and generous friend, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
The family expresses deep gratitude to the staff of The Landing, in Bogart, Georgia, for their attentive and devoted care.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Dr. Guy H. Ranson.
She is survived by her three children: Kenneth Ranson of Sandy, Utah, Kelly Ranson of San Antonio, and Dr. Diana Ranson (Dr. R. Baxter Miller) of Athens, Georgia; four grandchildren: Sean Ranson of Sandy, Utah, Lars Ranson (TaSzlin McKoy) of Austin, Angus Ranson (Shaina DeSilva) of San Antonio, and Catherine Seklaoui (Bill Whitehead) of Roswell, Georgia; three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Susanna, and Calvin; two first cousins, Ben Kelly of Panama and Scot Kelly of Pennsylvania, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell Ave., in San Antonio.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The SoL Center at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212.
Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.