Jeannette Mcginnes

Jeannette Hatter McGinnes died February 8, 2022, in Moody, Texas. Funeral services will be at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco on Saturday, February 12, at 10:30 a.m. Ms. McGinnes was a member of the First Baptist Church of Moody, where in earlier life she served many years as Sunday School superintendent and Sunday School teacher. Ms. McGinnes is from a prominent pioneer family of Central Texas, Walter Hatter and Ella Mote Hatter. She was born in Moody, but moved to Waco when she was four years old, returning to Moody after World War II. She married Merle H. McGinnes in 1940; he was an engineer with Brazos Electric at the Belton plant. They were landowners in the Spring Valley area. She was a graduate of Waco High School and Baylor University majoring in English, Spanish, and journalism. She received a master’s degree in English, becoming a successful teacher in high schools and at McLennan Community College. At MCC, she taught regularly for 18 years and was voted Outstanding Teacher many times. She served as Chairman of the Faculty Council and served as mentor for many students. She always taught at least one English class at MCC. One highlight of her career was the teaching of teachers of English at Masaryk University in Berno, Czech Republic, in 1980. She also taught English in Mexico City for a year in the 1930s (at a time when that kind of work abroad was very unusual for women). After traveling in most parts of the world, she later took smaller trips to Mexico, Columbia, Guatemala, and especially Colorado. She was in several organizations including the Texas State Teacher Historical Commission of McLennan County, Panhellenic Sorority Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society), Pan American Society, and the Moody Cemetery Association. Ms. McGinnes classified herself as a daughter, wife, mother, teacher, and friend. All of those confirmed in 2001 at a reception of appreciation where her former students honored her for the positive influences she had on their lives. There were about 400 who came to celebrate and say, “Hello and thank you.” Through the years, Jeanette McGinnes always tried to make Moody and Waco better places to live. She wrote a book with Hazel Potter that documented some of the genealogical history for the people of the Moody area: They Found the Blacklands. She served in Garden Clubs and on beautification projects. Survivors include her son, Merle H. (Mac) McGinnes, Jr. of Moody; nieces, JoAnne Hueske of Moody, Amanda Smith and husband, Dr. Bill Smith, of Waco, Patricia Reid of La Grange, Texas, Margie Lyons of Maryland, and Max Hatter of Moody; many extended family and friends. Visitation will be February 12, at 9:30 a.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Cal Farley’s Boys and Girls Ranch, Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174-0001, or to the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.