Marla Anne McGill

Marla McGill
Marla McGill

Marla Anne McGill, 66, of Amarillo passed from this life July 18, 2020.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, in the Boxwell Brothers Chapel, 2800 Paramount, Amarillo. Officiating will be Dr. Mike Bellah and the Rev. Dr. Jacob Miller. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Marla was born May 14, 1954, in Amarillo to C. W. “Bill” McGill, Jr. and Gloria L. McGill. She attended Amarillo schools, graduating from Tascosa High School in 1972. After attending Amarillo College, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1976 from West Texas State University and a master’s degree in education, also from West Texas State, in 1982. While a student in high school and college, she performed with various choirs, in musical productions, and in the outdoor musical drama Texas. In addition to having a beautiful alto voice, Marla played piano and guitar. She worked as a camp counselor at Hidden Falls Ranch for several summers, and through her gift of music, contributed to worship services all of her life.

Marla taught elementary school in Pampa, Grandview-Hopkins, and Amarillo, retiring from full-time teaching in 2007, after 35 years. She was a Reading Recovery® specialist and derived great pleasure from teaching young people to read.

Those who know Marla describe her with the words, “faithful friend” and “generous.” Untold individuals and organizations have benefited from her open heart and willingness to share.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Mark, her aunt Patricia J. Henry, grandparents Virginia Ruth McGill and Hubert W. and Louise Cass Jerry, special friends Grace Ladehoff and Harold Dean Carson, and a multitude of furred and feathered friends.

Survivors include cousins Brian A. Henry; Shiela L. Henry Moore and husband Les of Sanger, Texas; Scott W. Henry of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Michelle Henry Raftshol and husband Rudy of Minneapolis, Minnesota;  and Kimberly Henry Pierson of Amarillo; numerous second cousins, and her beloved pets, Molly, Boo, and Tux.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Melinda Hodnik, Silvia Martinez, and Alice Upshaw.

Memorials may be sent to Animal Rescue Shelter, Inc., 12500 FM 1541, Amarillo, TX 79118; Hidden Falls Ranch, Inc., P. O. Box 136, Wayside, TX 79094, or the F. A. Schaeffer Foundation, CH.DE Jermintin 3, Gryon, Switzerland.

Masks are preferred in the Chapel. For those not able to attend, a recording of the service will be available online at a later date.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com

13 Replies to “Marla Anne McGill”

  1. To Marla’s remaining family, I am sorry for her passing. The last time I passed through Amarillo I tried to connect with her but she was out of town. Marla was a burst of sunshine and music wherever she went. She was “real” and always down to earth. One of the things I enjoyed about her most was how inspiring and motivating that she could be around you. I worked with her at Hidden Falls Ranch and stayed with her some. She taught me how to drive her Toyota Corolla in a 3 inch snowstorm aftermath in Canyon (stick shift). It was hilarious but we did it. Her love for her students was exhibited in everything she did with her recovery classes in helping them overcome sometimes very demanding obstacles. Heaven has gained more than just an angel and Godly woman. I am glad that is finally getting to meet my parents who preceded her in death this past year. Now they get to rejoice with her there. I look forward to the online video of the funeral in the future. I was so sad I couldn’t make it to come today. I know people say rest in peace but Marla hit Heaven running and singing I promise!

  2. Marla was a people person and she loved teaching. As the former Principal at Lawndale Elementary, I was fortunate to have many opportunities to see Marla working with her reading recovery students. She also loved her fur babies and like all of us, they will miss her too.

  3. Marla had the sweetest spirit. She was such a help and encouragement to many, including Brian and myself. We new her from our early years working at Hidden Falls Ranch and also at our church in Amarillo. She touched many lives and will be missed. She is singing with the Angels in Heaven now.

  4. In 1978, I attended Crockett. Marla (she let the students call her Marla) met with me and a few other students for a study/share group. The students were in special ed. and I believe she was a student teacher or doing her clinicals at the time. I was 14 and recall how cool it was that she was 25. Not realizing she was a mere 10 years older than me! I thought, along with her allowing us to call her Marla was a very big deal! I remember her talking about her animals and listening to us about ours. She had her hands full with us, but always let us know who was the adult! She was fun!

  5. I loved Marla! Knew her from the HFR days. Reacquainted at E Free and taught with her at Robert E Lee. Heaven is richer!

  6. My family lived across the street from Marla’s since the 60s. As children my sisters and I played with her and later experienced her lively and generous personality. She always checked on my mother and dad while they lived, and on us when we visited. She was a genuine and special human being with a big heart!

  7. Loved Marla. A wonderful teacher for my kids at Grandview-Hopkins, and a sweet friend. Prayers for her family.

  8. Marla I will miss your kind heart and your laugh. We never made it to Vermont to get our kayak! I am smiling now through my tears.

  9. Ms McGill was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Grandview-Hopkins. I always loved the Christmas plays she put on every year. She always had stories to tell about her travels to Switzerland witch she loved to go every summer. She would bring back these candies that were coffee flavored I loved. She was a wonder teacher and person that will be greatly missed. The heavens gained a beautiful voice and person!!

  10. Without cousin Marla , I likely would not be the man I am today . Flawed and imperfect for sure but survivor … maybe not even the life I lived.. her dedication to protection of the underdog then., to early life encouragement when bleakness seemed the only Outcome , was and possibly is the difference .. rest in peace cousin. Now you are where you belong . All along , with Angels

  11. Miss McGill was one of my favorite teachers. She always made learning fun and exciting. I kept in touch with her after she left Grandview-Hopkins. She was always encouraging and caring. When I heard she passed, my heart broke. There will no one like her ever again and she’ll be missed.

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