Essie Haisler

She was born December 15, 1924 in Spicewood, Texas to A. J. “Jack” Thompson and Lera S. Wall. Essie graduated from Spicewood High School and Southwest Texas State University in 1946 with a B. A. degree. She received her M. A. degree in 1966 from SWTSU under the Sue King Scholarship and has done post-graduate work as well. On December 18, 1945, she married Ray F. Haisler.

Essie spent her lifetime teaching children and young people and said she was humbled by the opportunity to do so. Over the years, she taught elementary school, biology, chemistry, English, and PE, but for most of her career she taught Junior High School Life Science and Earth Science. She retired in 1985. During her career, Essie was honored several times by the Retired Teachers Association, Texas Advisory Committee on Conservation Educations. She served in various officer capacities with Epsilon Eta Chapter of the International Organization of Women Teachers (which she initiated in 1958), Women’s Faculty Club at the University of Corpus Christi, Midland County Unit of Texas State Teacher’s Association, and Midland Retired Teachers Association. After retiring, she worked as a volunteer to improve the education of children. This included serving on the textbook committee for M.I.S. D. as an advisor and docent at the Sibley Environmental Center where students are taken on nature walks and taught about the environment. She was a very active member of First Baptist Church, Midland as a volunteer in the Church library, worked each summer in Vacation Bible School, and taught a second grade Sunday School class for over 30 years. One of the highlights of her service was to direct a Vacation Bible School in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica. When she moved to Houston in 2004, she quickly became an active member of Tallowood Baptist Church.

Essie had a cheerful disposition, a quick and mischievous wit, and she loved to laugh. She lived a life that glorified God in countless ways. Ray and Essie opened their home to many friends and family members throughout the years who were going through difficult times. They provided comfort and a place to heal, or structure and a stern look, all while demonstrating God’s unconditional love. Essie was a devoted and considerate friend to all. She faithfully sent almost 200 birthday cards, and as many Christmas cards, to her family and friends each year and kept their pictures displayed throughout her home. She generously supported charities, especially those for children and soldiers. Her motto was: “It is better to build children than to repair adults.” Whether they were Essie’s family, students or friends, she touched literally thousands of lives for the good.

Essie was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, parents, three brothers (Joseph, Herman, and Noah Thompson), sister Bertha Carter, sister-in-law, Marie Leftwich Thompson, and niece Kaylie Thompson.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Charles Carter, and sisters-in-law, Wanda Haisler, Mary Alice Thompson, and Joyce Thompson; eleven nieces and nephews, eighteen great-nieces and nephews, and one great-great-nephew and two great-great-nieces.

Visitation will be at 1:00 PM at Tallowood Baptist Church with funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow service.