Jewel Grace Atherton

ARLINGTON -- Grace Adams Atherton departed this life on Monday, June 13, 2016, at the age of 103. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Friday, a celebration of Grace's life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 313 North Center Street in Arlington. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, in the church parlor. Memorials: The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church in Arlington or to Atherton Elementary Activity Fund, Attn: Principal, Atherton Elementary School, 2101 Overbrook Drive, Arlington, Texas 76014. Grace was born on Valentine's Day, 1913, in Arbala, the 10th of 11 children born to Ada and Ed Adams. During her lifetime she experienced World Wars I and II, women receiving the right to vote, the Great Depression and the global influenza epidemic of 1918. Grace graduated from Sulphur Springs High School and went on to Wesley College in Greenville where she met her husband Bob Atherton. Grace continued her schooling at what is now Texas A&M Commerce, earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees. Grace and Bob married in 1939 and, when he went off to Europe in World War II, Grace took over his job as the school principal in Murphy. After the war she and Bob taught in Wolfe City before the family moved to Arlington in 1952. Grace's teaching career spanned 35 years. When the field of learning differences was in its infancy, Grace obtained her certification and became the first teacher in Arlington to teach in this new field. She later became the first female principal in the Arlington Independent School District at a school designated for children with learning differences. In 1977, the district named a school, Atherton Elementary, for Bob and Grace. The highlight of Grace's last few months of life was visiting Atherton school on her birthday as every student lined the halls and sang as she passed through. It is only fitting that, as her life unfolded, Grace became known as "Amazing Grace." She was vivacious, resilient, joy-filled and an inspiration to the countless students, colleagues and others in the community whose lives she touched. Grace served First Methodist Church for over 60 years, helping start the Aldersgate Sunday School Class and receiving the Pricilla and Aquilla Service Award there. She was President of the Arlington State Teacher's Association, first President of the Eta Upsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and President of the Arlington Story League. Grace was active in the Arlington Women's Club and received their Cooper Award in 2008. She was a member of Arlington Retired Teachers and, for over 60 years, was a member of Eastern Star. Grace was honored as Arlington's Senior Citizen of the Year in 1980 and once served as Grand Marshal of the Arlington Fourth of July Parade. Grace was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years, Robert W. "Bob" Atherton; her parents; her 10 siblings; and her granddaughter, Kathryn Goyne. Survivors: She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Judy Atherton of Weatherford; by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Rick Goyne of Dallas; by grandchildren, Angela Stock (Kevin), Amy Atherton, Ann Decker (Curt) and Matthew Goyne (Abby); and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Lauren Stock, Alex Pitman, Avery, Caleb and Aliya Decker, and Grace Goyne. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233