Fannie McGowan Daugherty

Fannie McGowan Daugherty died December 14, 2002, in Chula Vista, California. Memorial Services were held in Chula Vista on December 19, 2002, with Reverend Harold Elliot officiating. She taught him in the first grade in Clarendon, and he is now Chaplain of the Arlington Police Department.

Fannie McGowan Daugherty was born September 10, 1919, in Clarendon. She grew up here and attended the local schools from Kindergarten through Clarendon Junior College (as it was known at that time). She graduated from high school at age 16; received a BA degree at West Texas State in Canyon, Texas, at age 20. Her teaching career began that fall.

After two years teaching at Tell Independent School District in Childress County, she returned to her hometown due to her mother’s ill health. There she taught first grade in the same room where she was once a first grade student.

She became victim of chronic hayfever, sinus, and allergy problems. The doctor said, “There is no available serum that will help you. The only solution is for you to move to another climate. I suggest you go to Prescott, Arizona, for relief. Stay one year, come back, and let me check you.”

She lived there three years; two she taught in the local school system. Later she moved to Phoenix and taught in the Creighton District. She taught during the day and attended night classes and Summer school to receive an MA degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in Tempe.

Another interesting thing took place while she lived in “The Valley of the Sun;” She met and married her beloved husband, Emmett Daugherty. They continued the westward movement to Chula Vista, California. Fannie taught there until her retirement. This concluded her public school teaching career (and substituting) in three states for thirty years. Once a teacher, always a teacher, so after retirement, she continued to tutor Japanese students in English as a second language, plus American students in her home.

Her life-long desire to travel led her to 49 states, 51 countries, and 6 continents. She kept a journal of her travel, and spent endless hours to record numerous experiences in many albums and scrapbooks.

Emmett preceded her in death in 1983. They both donated their bodies to medical research. There is a memorial marker for Emmett and one for Fannie in the McGowan family plot in the Citizens’ Cemetery in Clarendon.

She is survived by one brother, C.A. Wright of Clarendon; one sister, LaVerne Greene of Palestine, TX; and nine nieces and nephews.