Julia Ann Smith Michael went to her heavenly reward on June 16, 2021 in Waco, Texas at St. Anthony’s Care Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edmond Smith and Julia Elizabeth
(Mitchell) Smith, her sisters, Kathryn (Smith) Love and Mollie Mildred (Smith) Chaffin, and by her husband of 54 years, Rex Z. Michael, Jr.
She is survived by her children, Ermine Michael Dieckman and husband Edwin Dieckman, Marjorie Elizabeth Michael Shenkir Ross and husband James Ross, and Monte Eric Michael and wife, Sandra
Carol Ratley Michael. Her grandchildren are Amanda Kathryn Still, Jared Michael Hill (Katia), Kristin Michelle Dieckman, Zachary Alaric Shenkir (Erin), Jonathan Christopher Shenkir (Gloria), John Ryan
Ross, Kathryn Alexandra Ross, Robert Clayton Meier (Mary Jane), Michael Dwaine Meier (Rebecca), Major Eric Caleb Michael, U.S.A.F. (Jordan), Ruth Elisabeth (Michael) Sabin, Dr. Isaac Benjamin Michael,
PhD (Brenda), and Andrew Joseph Michael. She has 18 great grandchildren.
Julia Ann graduated from Hearne High School and attended Mary Hardin Baylor College, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Speech. While at Mary Hardin Baylor, she was President of the Baptist Student Union, portrayed Jesus in the Easter Pageant, and was awarded the school’s highest honor, the Loyalty Cup. She received her Master’s Degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin.
She married Captain Rex Z. Michael, USMC, two days after her graduation. They lived in Quantico, Virginia, and settled in Oceanside, California until Major Michael retired in 1968. She was a lifelong
educator, teaching English in Carlsbad, California, Calvert, Hearne and Franklin, Texas for a total of 31 years. She was an active member of Franklin United Methodist Church, Franklin Chapter #311, Order of
the Eastern Star, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Franklin Reading Club, Garden Club and Hearne Shakespeare Club. Her loves were her Lord, her family, and her dogs.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 26, at the Franklin United Methodist Church, with visitation at 10:00 and service following at 11:00 am.
All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the charity of your choice.
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Julia Ann was a wonderful mother-in-law for 25 years and a loving and generous soul to all she came in contact with. I shall always cherish having had her as a friend all those years. Vaya con Dios Julia Ann.
She was my English teacher my senior year my favorite of all of the teachers. She was so kind and caring and just a wonderful person and she made a big difference in my life at the time I was losing my dad. She prepared me better for college English than the kids who went to the big schools. I will always cherish her memory and kind and loving spirit.
Mrs. Michael was my favorite teacher. She was a kind and wonderful person and a great comfort to me when my father was dying. She prepared me better for college than kids who went to the big schools. I will always have fond and loving memories of her. Prayers for the family and all who loved this specil woman.
Loved that wonderful lady. Not only was she a lady of
class, she raised 3 wonderful children and I was privileged to get to know all of you while Julia Ann spent her last days at home. I will always cherish those precious memories and times we shared. When I arrive in heaven one of the things I’m going to do is sit down with Julia Ann and have a tuna fish sandwich!!!!! Much Love to all of her family. ❤️
Wonderful teacher and pillar of the community. We did a lot of work for her and she and Mr. Michael were always such a joy to be around.
Sorry for the families loss. She was a very sweet lady. Also a former teacher of mine lots do good memories.
Dear Family of Julia Michael,
What a precious lady and mother has gone to her heavenly award. Our hearts are with you all as Chaplain Monte is such a special part of our Bluebonnet family.
We are lifting all of you to the Lord as you take care of each other.
God bless and keep you,
The Bluebonnet Hospice Family
She was one of my favorite teachers in Franklin. Prayers for comfort & peace for her entire family.
Ermine so sorry for your loss. Special prayers for you and your family
Ermine,
Lee and I are saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.