Hearn-Zirkle, D’Jelma Desse, 1918-1979

Dates

• Existence: 1918 July 24 - 1979 January 12
• Existence: 1918-07-24 - 1979-01-12

Biography

D’Jelma Desse Hearn-Zirkle was born July 24, 1918 in Rossville, Texas. Around the age of seven or eight years old, Hearn moved to Encinal, Texas. At the age of ten, she lost her hearing from a measles infection. After graduating high school in Encinal in 1934, Hearn’s father, Julious Hearn, took four years to find her a hearing aid and when he did, Hearn-Zirkle enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers College in the fall of 1938. She graduated in May 1942 with her Bachelor’s Degree. In the summers of 1960 and 1961, Hearn-Zirkle returned to Southwest Texas State University for additional classes.

Upon graduation, Hearn-Zirkle went on to teach in George West, Texas for two years. After a lengthy time off to raise her children, Harriet Elaine and Judith Lorraine, Hearn-Zirkle then taught in the Encinal School District from 1959-1965. In 1965, she taught for one year in the Pleasanton School District, and then taught one year in 1966 in the Charlotte School District. In 1967, Hearn-Zirkle began teaching at Carrizo Springs County School District through 1975. Hearn-Zirkle taught in Presidio School District from 1975 to 1978.

Hearn-Zirkle died Jan. 12, 1979, and she is buried in the Cotulla Cemetery in Cotulla, Texas.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: