Cassandra Elaine Templeton

Ours beloved sister Cassandra Elaine Templeton, age 53 peacefully entered into eternal rest on 4-29-16 after a brief battle with cancer.   Cassandra was born on August 16, 1962 in Houston, Texas to the proud parents, Mitchell and Thelma Jo Templeton. At an early age, Cassandra found Christ and joined Trinity Garden Church of Christ in Houston, Texas.   Cassandra grew up in North Houston, where she attended McDade Elementary, Kirby Middle School, and M. B. Smiley High School, where she graduated in 1980. After graduating from high school, Cassandra attended Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas; and graduated in 1986 with a B.S. degree in Education. Cassandra was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.   Cassandra has been in education for 32 years. Her first teaching job was in 1987, at Shadydale Elementary. From that point on, she has touched so many lives through her dedication in education, and working with children. Early on she became a drill team sponsor, then a cheerleader sponsor, and even a dance sponsor. These organizations required the students to compete in many events, and when some of the parents were not able to pay, Cassandra did not hesitate to use her own funds to pay for their entry fee. She felt that all children should have the opportunity to experience things outside of their community. Cassandra was also sponsor for many other school events, such as Christmas program, Proses and Poetry, and Black History Month events, in which she enjoyed and looked forward to working each year. Cassandra had a passion for working with those most difficult children. Throughout the years, she would always accept those most difficult students who were assigned to her class with an open heart. No one knew how, and would often question, how she was able to manage those most difficult students when some school administrators’ would have difficulty controlling. One of her co-workers, Mrs. Henderson called it a gift. Indeed, Cassandra had a gift. When you use your gift that God has given you, no one is able to understand how you use it. Working with and molding the lives of those most difficult precious students is what she continued to do until the end.   Cassandra has received numerous awards and achievements through her years. Achievements such as Houston Rockets Outstanding Teacher Award, State of Texas Outstanding Teacher Award             (Nominated by: State Representative Senfronia Thompson), American Cheer Power Choreography Coach of the Year, Teacher of the Year (East Houston Elementary School), Golden Crystal Apple Outstanding Teacher Award, Teacher of the Year (Shadydale Elementary School) .   Cassandra also touched many of lives inside and outside of education. She believed in helping and supporting others. She was such a giving person. If there was a song to describe her, it would be “I Give Myself Away”. She would often place other’s needs above her own, at the expense of her needs being unmet. She was always the life of the party. She had an uncanny spirit of humor without embarrassing anyone. She was a joy to be around, because of her beautiful spirit.   Cassandra was preceded in death by her parents, Mitchell and Thelma Templeton; brother, Richard Templeton; and aunt, Rosa Thomas.   She leaves to cherish her memories: 2 sisters, Carla Templeton and Angela Truitt of Austin, Texas; 5 brothers, Mitchell Templeton, Jr., Eric Templeton, Darren Templeton, Sean Templeton, and Sterling Templeton, whom she loved dearly and cared for as though Sterling was her own child; after our mother passed away. She also leaves 8 nieces, Mia Templeton, Karen Truitt, Ebonie Templeton, Erielle Templeton, Essynce Templeton, Candance Templeton, Ashley Templeton, and Jarren Templeton; 11 nephews, William Templeton, Cranston Alkebulan, Eric Templeton II, Kendle Templeton, James Truitt, Lamont Truitt, Markell Templeton, Ronald Bryant, Joshua Templeton, Jarden Templeton, and Erik Jones Templeton; 35 great nieces and nephews; 1 great-great nephew; 3 cousins, Mark Thomas (very close), Darryl Bush, and Lonnie Bush; and a host of other relatives and friends.