JEANINE J. VARNER

In loving memory of our friend, Jeanine J. Varner – Jeanine passed away this December 2018. She was 79. She was a Las Vegas resident for over 45 years having arrived in 1969, and was employed by the Clark County School District until her retirement, in 1994. She taught fourth grade at Lomie Gray Heard Elementary School at Nellis Air Force Base for 25 years. She was born Jeanine Elizabeth Johnson February 19, 1939, in Rock Springs, WY, to Henry William Johnson (“Swede”) and Bernice Bayard Johnson. She spent her toddler years in Wyoming and, by the time she graduated high school, the family was living in Texas. Jeanine attended the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, where she achieved both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education. She worked in Texas schools and also spent time in Japan teaching school on a military base campus. In Las Vegas, she was married to Richard Emerson Varner, retired military, for 15 years when he passed in 1993. Jeanine was a member of Beta Sigma Phi where she enjoyed the friendship of many women members. She was also a volunteer and coordinator for AARP activities. Jeanine loved music, travel and was an animal lover and supporter of animal rights. She was a devoted companion to John A. Melanson for over 20 years and together they enjoyed their senior years through sports, travel and big band music. A memorial prayer service will be at 11 a.m. Thu, Dec. 20, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123.