Marsha Sue Jaska

Marsha Sue Jaska, age 58, of Ross, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2007, from a sudden neurological attack. Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m. Wednesday February 14, 2007 at First Baptist Church of Waco, with Rev. John Wood officiating. Burial will follow at White Rock Cemetery near Ross. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Marsha was born on June 26, 1948 in Houston, the daughter of K.P. and Careta (Renfrow) Bryant. She was an honor graduate of Airline High School in Bossier City, LA. After graduation, she moved to Waco, where she spent the rest of her life. She graduated from Baylor University in 1970, where she was a member of Phi Beta Mu sorority. She immediately began her teaching career as a special education teacher at Provident Heights Elementary School. She later continued her education and earned a Master of Science degree from Baylor University, which enhanced her skills and allowed her to assist individual students with learning challenges. Marsha met the love of her life, Timothy Edward Jaska, in the singles department at First Baptist Church of Waco. They were united in marriage on October 23, 1971. Over her 37 years as an educator, reassignments took her to Sul Ross, R.L. Smith, and North Waco Elementary campuses. In 1994, she was named an Outstanding Teacher in the Waco ISD and even after she retired from full-time teaching in 2004, she continued in a part-time capacity as a reading teacher at North Waco. She continued teaching there until her death and over the course of her career she touched the lives of thousands of students and helped to facilitate their successful progression toward productive and fulfilling lives. Marsha was a member of the American Association of University Women, AAUW's Trends group, Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, St. Cecilia Handbell Choir at Waco's First Presbyterian Church, Ross Extension Homemakers Club, and a lifetime member of the Baylor Alumni Association. She was also a member of First Baptist Church of Waco. Her son, Grant Thomas, who was born prematurely on December 7, 1982 and went to be with the Lord only five years later and her father, K.P. Bryant who died on March 21, 2000, precedes her in death. Survivors include her beloved husband, Timothy Jaska of Ross; her son, Bryan and his wife Lisa of Robinson; her mother, Careta Bryant of Ross; her step-grandson, Donovan Moorefield of Robinson; brothers-in-law, Rick Jaska and Jim Jaska and his wife Mary Jo of Ross; two nephews, Jimmy Jaska and his wife Megan and Joey Jaska, all of Ross; her aunt, Loveta Smith of Houston; four cousins, Donella Fowler of Bossier City, LA, Sharon Zizza of Houston, Brent Smith of Conroe, and Kevin Smith of Houston; other relatives and many friends. Pallbearers will be James Jaska, Jr., Joey Jaska, Richard Jaska, Kris Tynes, Donovan Moorefield, Brent Smith, Kevin Smith, and Richard Zizza. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Waco ISD Education Foundation at P.O. Box 2369, Waco, Texas, 76703.