Memories and Tributes:
 

              Excerpts from students, teachers, colleagues
                    (Students are identified with first initial only.)

Jo Anne Greene-Beatty was my colleague, but more than that, she was my friend - I miss her. She epitomized the meaning of the word “friend.” She loved completely - her family, her friends, her students. She focused on the good in people and didn’t judge the imperfections, if indeed, she even noticed them. She was determined, tenacious, and persistent; she never gave up! Her “glass” was never less than half full!! AND she laughed.

Jo Anne was an accomplished musician; her talent unmatched by anyone I know. And though she played the piano and sang with symphonies and in synagogues, she was no less willing to sit with our little children and guide them through her treasure, the music. I hope that one day, every child who sat in her class will understand just how lucky they were to be there with her, and to be enveloped by the sheer joy she felt when sharing her talent and expertise. She possessed amazing knowledge, talent and generosity of spirit. 

Jo Anne had the most crystal clear soprano voice I ever heard. When she stood to sing, the sounds that washed over her audience were angelic - clear, precise, beautiful and seemingly, effortless.  I am so sad that I will never again hear that beautiful sound, but so blessed by our friendship

I met Ms. Greene-Beatty over ten years ago while we were both working on our Ed.S. degrees at LMU.  She was always so friendly and fun to be around.  When I came to HES as principal in 2004, it was easy to see that Ms. Greene-Beatty was a wonderful teacher and friend to all of her students.  During the past few years, it was apparent that she did not feel well, but she was still always smiling and making the best of every minute.  She was an inspiration to me in how she taught her students and lived her life.  I miss her very much.

I am so sad because Ms. Greene-Beatty is gone.  She was so nice and fun.  I miss her so so much.  She was one of the best teachers I ever had.  I hope we all remember her as the best music teacher ever.  I know I will.  Her mother is so lucky to be the parent of a great musician.

 Ms. Greene-Beatty was the nicest teacher in the world.  Ms. Greene-Beatty is a blessing from the Lord.  Ms. Greene-Beatty will be remembered, and she is missed already.  Don't worry - she is in a better place.  And that better place is heaven.  She was the greatest in the world.

Ms. Greene-Beatty, I always had the best fun with you, and I will sing for you at home.  The class will miss you, and I will always think of you.  We miss you Ms. Greene-Beatty.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a very nice music teacher.  She was talented and she was a very good piano player.  Ms. Greene-Beatty was my piano and voice teacher.  She taught me how to play piano and how to the hit the notes just right.  She taught me Sharps from Flats and C from E.  She helped me sing The Star-Spangled Banner correctly and how to sing with a piano.  Ms. Greene-Beatty was a good woman.  She was an excellent teacher and a great singer.  She made the choir sparkle, the talent show shine, and the Christmas Program dazzle.  She could make any musical group sound like little birds.  Ms. Greene-Beatty will be missed by all of us.

Hawkins Elementary School was truly blessed to have had Jo Anne as our music teacher , and I consider it an honor and a privilege to have worked with such a talented person.  Her family is in our thoughts and prayers.

I want to share my feelings about Ms. Greene-Beatty.  I share a lot of great memories with Ms. Greene-Beatty.  I remember how she would tell a joke, and we both would laugh (even if it wasn't that funny).  I remember when she gave private voice and piano lessons.  She taught me how to warm up my voice in a very funny way.  I'll never forget the warm-ups.  Ms. Greene-Beatty, I wish you were still alive.  I miss her so much.  Even though she is not suffering anymore, I still miss her.  I'm trying hard not to cry.  I remember early Sunday morning - I was eating breakfast when my stepdad told me that Ms. Greene-Beatty had died.  You are missed by all Ms. Greene-Beatty.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a good person. I know she is in a better place, but I still miss her. I felt like she really was my family member. I liked Ms. Greene-Beatty a lot. The last words I heard her say was, "Did you have a good time in choir?"  I loved Ms. Greene-Beatty, and Ms. Greene-Beatty loved us all.  I can't do anything about her death, but I pray that she's okay.  She's probably looking at us right now in heaven smiling.  I know she was sick but she still came to school because of us. When I go home today, I'm writing about how good she was in my diary. 

She was very nice and a good piano teacher.  She could always make me laugh.  I will miss her very, very much.

She was a great friend and would so anything within her power to help out in any way.  I too will miss her very much.

My favorite memories about Ms. Greene-Beatty are about choir because it made her so happy teaching children to sing.  Every time I looked at her she had a grin.  In choir, she would have stayed with us until the end.  But, Ms. Greene-Beatty didn't know that she couldn't.  The talent show made her happy too.  She was so proud to see over 100 students have the guts to get up there on the stage and sing.  But, the thing is, she didn't like narrowing them down.  She was nice and it was hard for her to choose.  In the end, she picked the ones she knew were great at singing.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was the best music teacher ever.  She was so cheerful.  She told my class the BEST stories.  She was so nice there isn't any way to explain it.  She knew how to play so many instruments.  She will be forever missed.  I will always miss her.  She felt like family to me and my brother.  She always had a smile on her face.  She was as funny as anybody in the school.  I will always remember she taught me to sing and to play the recorder.  She was always nice and had a beautiful singing voice.  She will be missed by hundreds and will always be deep down in my heart.  I can't wait to see her again in Heaven.  She was an awesome teacher and person.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was one of my best teachers.  I have so many great memories.  One of my best memories is dancing in her class.   She was just so sweet and kind, and I am so happy I got time with her.   I wish she was still here with us.  She was very strong for us.  She was an awesome teacher, and nobody could ever replace her. 

I miss you Ms. Greene-Beatty.  I wish you were still here.  Everybody misses you.  Obama won the election.  I love and miss you.

I miss you a lot.  I really had fun with you.  I wish you were still here with us.  We all love and miss you.  There's a lot of things I could say right now.  I've only been with you two and half years, and I wish it could have been longer.  At least you're going to a better place with the good Lord.  I was so happy the last words you to me was, "Yes, you can be in choir."  Thank you for being here with us, and we loved having you and thanks for teaching us music.  You're the best.  Love you forever.

Jo Anne was so easy to talk to, and she became a friend of mine right away.  Talking to her was like talking to one of my sisters.  She was a very intelligent and straight forward kind of person, so very honest and open to everybody, and she ended every sentence with a smile.  I knew her for too short a time, but I learned quickly that she had lived an interesting and full life.

I love you a lot, and I want you to know that.  I thought you had a beautiful voice.  When I was in the talent show, I was nervous, but then you told me that it did not matter.  You told me to act like that it was just you and me.  It helped me a lot.  No matter what, you were always happy. 

I wish you could be here to see all those who love you.  Keep watch over us.  I'll miss you.

She was always a good and gentle person, laughing and outgoing.  We all loved Ms. Jo Anne Greene-Beatty.

She was a great music teacher. Her close relatives will be in our hearts forever.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a great person, our favorite music teacher.  The day she died broke all our hearts.  We all miss her very much.

Ms. Greene-Beatty, I wish you were here.  You are one of my favorite music teachers.  I will always miss you.  We will always remember you are in a better place.  We all know that you loved us.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was my greatest music teacher.  I miss her so much.  She would make us children laugh every time we went to music.  Ms. Greene-Beatty loved choir.

I am so sorry that Ms. Greene-Beatty died.  She was my favorite related arts teacher ever.  I was going to tell her she was my favorite teacher but I didn't get to tell her.  I really miss her.  Ms. Greene-Beatty was a really special teacher.

I miss Ms. Greene-Beatty so much. I wish she was still here. I really liked Ms. Greene-Beatty for a music teacher.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was my favorite music teacher.  When I first came to Hawkins Elementary, I didn't think I was a good singer.  But Ms. Greene-Beatty thought I was because she put me in the choir.  She also gave me the courage to do the talent shows and the Christmas shows.  She also did a lot of fun stuff in music class.  She taught us about music, let us dance, and play instruments.

I am sorry for your loss but she is in a better place and one day you will be with her.  She was a good teacher. She was nice to everyone.

I know your heart is broken, but she is in a better place because she won't have to deal with the health problems. Be thankful you had a wonderful daughter, let me tell you!  She was a wonderful music teacher.

You will be sadly missed here at HES.  Your kind words and sweet smile will always be remembered.  The school will not be the same without you.  Forever in our hearts and always on our minds....

To Ms. Greene's family, I'm so sorry.  She was a great music teacher.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I miss her too.  She was always helpful and nice.  She was very humble and modest.  God bless.

I am very very sorry that you lost Ms. Greene-Beatty.  We loved her and she was a great music teacher.  She was the best teacher ever.  She loved her music and she always said to keep the music with you.  Her music was not just in her heart, but it is in the hearts of the children.  She loved us and her family and her job.

I am so sorry for your loss.  She was a fantastic singer and someday you'll see her again.  We will help you get through this tough situation.  God bless you.

Rest in peace Ms. Greene-Beatty.

I am sorry for the loss of your daughter.  We loved her very much.  Her voice was very, very, very pretty.  She was funny, nice and everything like that.  I miss her very much!

I'm sorry of the loss of your daughter.  I miss her very very much, but you'll be with her someday.

I feel sorry for you.  Ms. Greene-Beatty wasn't lonely here in this world.

I hope you are not too sad.  She is in Heaven.  She is not sick and in pain.

 She was a great music teacher.  I'm sure your heart is broken.  She was very very nice.

I will miss Ms. Greene-Beatty very very much.

I am so sorry that Ms. Greene-Beatty died but she is in a better place.  She is in a wonderful place and the Lord will take care of her.  She was a good music teacher.  Sing along with Ms. Greene-Beatty's  songs!

It's not every day you come across a person who is kind to you from the minute they see you, who wears a smile even when things aren't as good as they could be, and who goes the extra mile when they don't have too.  Mrs. Jo Anne Greene-Beatty did all of this and more.  She touched the lives of many and remains in our hearts today, as she always will.  She will be missed, but the memories she left with us will never fade, and she will carry on through our lives as her smile still shines on from up above -  In loving memory of Mrs. Jo Anne Greene-Beatty

When God called Jo Anne home, he left a void in many hearts and a silence in many ears.  He took a magnificent talent and an extraordinary woman who touched lives in unimaginable ways.  She was always quick with a smile and willing to have a laugh.  She loved sharing her wonderful talents and enthusiasm with everyone.  We can picture her in Heaven with her glorious smile and angelic voice singing God's praise.  She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. 

P.S.   Heaven's choir has never sounded sweeter.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a great music teacher, and she was nice and funny.  She was a great singer, and I wish she could have been here to do the Christmas play.  We all miss her!

I'm sorry about Ms. Greene-Beatty. We all loved her.  She was a great music teacher.  I know that she is gone but she is in a better place singing with the angels.  We all miss her.  I'm glad we will always get to see her in heaven.

When I think of Jo Anne, I immediately think of her support and unfailing devotion to her son Lee, her dedication and  ever-present love for her mother,  and her oh-so- special  bond with her sister, Mary Gayle.    Make no mistake, family was always foremost with Jo Anne. 

Jo Anne had such a fierce determination to ensure that her students at Hawkins Elementary received "only the best" instruction, and she continually strived to promote, lift up, and encourage her students in their musical endeavors, including her students who received private instruction.

 Jo Anne had a tremendous keen intellect, accompanied with a quick and ready wit with a hearty laugh.   Always, always willing to go that extra mile, to help anyone, to perform a kind and generous deed anonymously....Jo Anne had enormous compassion and a tender heart, truly a heart as big as Texas. 

 What words are there to describe her voice, that magnificent musical talent --- a voice that made your eyes widen with amazement and your heartstrings swell with awesome appreciation?  What a gift it was to hear Jo Anne perform.

 I will be forever thankful that I was privileged to work with Jo Anne. 

Ms. Greene-Beatty was the greatest teacher ever.  I am so glad you are in a better place now. You are singing with the heavenly chorus.  You were a very talented teacher.  You were very nice.  Everyone loved you and you loved us.   We are so glad that you thought the world of us.  I know that your family loved you a lot and didn't want to go away from them.   I will always miss you, no matter what because you were special to me.
 

We really miss you and miss seeing you in music class.  You were a great teacher. Nobody can take your place.  You always let us do fun stuff in music.  You were the best all around teacher ever!  You always taught us what we wanted to know and what we needed to know.  We remember how you complimented our music skills every time we came to music class.  Thank you for coming to school when you didn't have to and thank you for tutoring us in math.  That really helped our schoolwork.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a good teacher.  In fact, she was the best music teacher I have ever had. I was very sad that she died.

She was a big help to the school and a great music teacher.  She was very nice to everyone.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was really fun.  We played games. She picked the best people that could sing.

I am sad for Ms. Greene-Beatty's family.  I hope you get to feeling better, and she was the best music teacher I had ever had.  I know your heart is broken and you might not be able to see her now, but she will always be with you.

We all miss Ms. Greene-Beatty  lot.  I really miss her and I know you do too.

I am so sorry your daughter died.  I know you are going through a hard time.  I am so sorry.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was my music teacher and a great one.  I really miss her and hopefully a lot of other people do too.  She was a very nice lady and we miss her.

She was a big help with the school music and the school.  We will honor her with great respect and sadness.  I wish she could have heard this song.  She is still in our hearts forever for the rest of our lives. 

Ms. Greene-Beatty was kind and dear to my heart.  I'll always remember her kindness, flexibility and understanding.   Jo Anne was truly a talented soul and she deeply touched the lives of many.  We will always remember her.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a great teacher.  She was fair; she was nice and loved music very much.  And when she let us dance  we went wild, but it was fun.  We will miss her a lot.  Ms. Greene-Beatty, we will always love your music.

Ms. Greene-Beatty, you were very special to me and thank you for teaching our class and helping us with music.  You were kind and sweet.  You made me feel happy and glad in music.  You are in my heart. 

Ms. Greene-Beatty was really a great person.  She loved to hear us sing.  I love music and I love to sing.  I like the music she put on for us.  We had so much fun with her.  Most of all, I loved her singing, and I feel sorry for her family.  But just remember, she will always be in your heart to guide you and show you the way home with her, and she always love you.

To Ms. Greene-Beatty's mom, I am sorry that your daughter passed away. I hope you will get to feeing better.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a good teacher at school.  She taught us how to sing.  She helped us with songs that we didn't know.  We had fun in her class and we always did fun things in  her class.

I want to tell you how much I loved Ms. Greene-Beatty.  I was very fortunate to have such an awesome music teacher like her.

I am so thankful that I got to spend time with her before she passed away.  Ms. Greene-Beatty was very nice, kind, and so encouraging.  She had such a great personality. Thank you to Ms. Greene-Beatty's mother for raising and taking care of Ms. Greene-Beatty.

She was a good teacher.  She had a good laugh.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was so nice.  She taught music.  She instructed chorus.  I wish she had lived to know who the president was.  She was a nice soul. She had a big heart.

She never told me that I couldn't sing.  Everybody says I can't sing but she did not say that.

In Memory of Ms. Greene-Beatty: We love all of her work.  She tried and did do her best to teach us how to sing.  We will always remember how she made music fun.   We all might not like a song, but we would still sing it and then we would enjoy it.  You could believe and trust

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a good singer.  She was an awesome singer.  She was a brave person.  She was nice. She was great.

Ms. Greene-Beatty was a music teacher, maybe more than that, but we all loved her.    Ms. Greene-Beatty was the best teacher each and every day.  She loved us all but now she is up in heaven singing with the angels choir.  We all miss our favorite music teacher.  Ms. Greene-Beatty was an angel sent from heaven above, and she will always be an angel from heaven above!