top of page

Keeping Alive The Memories Of...

Jane Walters

September 1, 1934 – August 19, 2020

60.jpeg

Jane Walters believed in public education and dedicated her life to this purpose. Many
of us remember her as the principal of Craigmont High School or as the Commissioner
of Education for the State of Tennessee, but we at REACH Memphis remember her for
these things and more. Jane was a pillar of strength and support for REACH Memphis.
She believed in our mission and in the abilities of our students. She helped develop the
pathways for success that led countless numbers of students from our public high
schools to success in college and career.


The devotion Jane showed to our students can’t begin to be measured. Her leadership
as a board member and volunteer guided the organization for years, never forgetting
what would be best for the students in our public schools.
The REACH Memphis family will forever remember Jane… her love of the arts, her
commitment to our students, and her can do spirit. We will miss her.

 Ray George

December 1, 1946 – March 28, 2020

Ray George believed. He believed in our mission, he believed in the abilities of our staff and other mentors, and he believed in the value of every student he worked with. We  will miss him…his smile, his enthusiasm, his dedication.


REACH Memphis captured Ray’s heart and his can-do spirit captured us. Our first business scholar group was his brainchild. Our Student Executive Board would not be the strong face of REACH Memphis that it is today without him. Every meeting – and in between – he was working with our students while encouraging them, pushing them to be all they could be, laughing with them, and celebrating them. His friendships extended from high school into career.


Join us as we post pictures, comments, and more about a man who was loved by many, admired by all who knew him, and will be missed for decades to come. Ray’s legacy will live on at REACH Memphis. Stay tuned as we post some of “Ray’s Rules of Leadership” and continue to remember a man who touched so many in so many powerful ways.

Student Reflections

Mr. Ray was such a thoughtful, caring, and sincere individual. He treated each one of us at REACH like family. He was not only a mentor for academics and our future; he cared about our interests outside of school as well. He would always ask me how golf was going, and he even mentioned going to a course and playing a few rounds with him although we never seemed to find the time. He would give us his Grizzlies or Tigers tickets when he couldn’t attend them himself.

 

-Ricki Le (cont.)

bottom of page