\t\t\tAmanda Carleen Hemric \t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tOBITUARY\t\t<\/p>\n
Amanda Carleen Hemric, beloved teacher and devoted mother and grandmother, died Monday, July 20, of pancreatic cancer at her home in Solheim Senior Community, in Los Angeles, CA.<\/p>\n
Carleen was the eldest of seven children, born on a Fairview, North Carolina, tobacco farm on May 31, 1936. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by her family and friends.<\/p>\n
In 1957 she graduated from Kentucky\u2019s Berea College, a tuition-free school that operates on a \u201cwork to learn to earn\u201d model. She was the first college graduate in her family. During her summers as a waitress in Washington, DC, she mastered the trick of balancing hot plates all the way up her arm while opening the door with a swing of a hip.<\/p>\n
After college and with her friend Sarah, Carleen decided to see more parts of the country by teaching at public schools in Dowagiac, Michigan, and Sarasota, Florida, where the high school had its own circus. She went on to earn a master\u2019s degree from Appalachian State University (with her toddler son in tow) in 1966. <\/p>\n
Carleen moved to San Diego with her then-husband, Jim McGlothlin, in 1963, welcoming son, James, in 1964 and daughter, Janelle, in 1971. In addition to teaching, Carleen and Jim spent much of their free time maintaining and managing various rental properties. Through this and her teaching career of nearly 40 years at Pershing Junior High School, Carleen freed herself and her children from the financial insecurity that she had known as a child.<\/p>\n
She taught English, journalism, and English as a second language (ESL). She was active in the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) where she was the recording secretary for many years, as well as the National Council of Teachers of English, where she connected with peers and got to meet many authors. Carleen also volunteered her time for many years as recording secretary for the Friends of the San Diego Public Library. Her talent for taking minutes was unparalleled. <\/p>\n
Carleen\u2019s grammar was impeccable and her appreciation for good writing a lifelong passion. She spotted problems with an iron-clad grasp of the rules and was a frequent early reader of papers, books, and other communications for her friends and family. She produced literary magazines featuring student writing, judged literary contests around San Diego, and taught the mechanics of yearbook and newspaper production to hundreds of middle schoolers.<\/p>\n
Testaments and memories of her classroom abound. Her championship of students was legendary, encouraging many to pursue their passions, enter essay contests, and pursue a college education. She affected people throughout their lives, inspiring former students Richard and Matthew and Jacqueline and An Na to become professional writers, and Annette to become a working actor.<\/p>\n
The most important classroom was her home, where she cultivated her children\u2019s relationships with writing and reading. Janelle is a copywriter and James is a librarian. Just like their mom, both eat up novels to the finish, however lousy.<\/p>\n
She was a model of love and involvement in her parenting, from driving to every music, dance, community theater, and sports activity to offering a sympathetic ear for grievances. From offering counsel on the dilemmas of life to cheering for new ventures and activities like karate, volleyball, and gymnastics. She adored being a grandmother.<\/p>\n
She is survived by her son, James (Debra); daughter, Janelle (Charly); beloved grandchildren Gus, Mattie, and Ellie; and siblings Betty, Joe Bill, Carl, and Jana. She was preceded in death by her brothers Jack and Jerry. <\/p>\n