In Memoriam

Robert William “Rob” Parker March 13, 1949 – November 23, 2019

When Robert William “Rob” Parker, TAEA Distinguished Fellow, entered a room the space was filled with his warm smile and laughter. Rob never met a stranger, always connecting in some way with everyone. He was a proud first-generation Italian American and a “fun guy.”

Rob graduated from Sam Houston State and dedicated 40 years to art education in Brenham ISD. It is estimated “Mr. Parker” likely taught 6000 students during his career. He retired in 2012 and began a second teaching career at Christ Lutheran Christian Day School working with his “munchkins”, the preschoolers.

Promoting art education and supporting art educators was his passion. Rob was an active TAEA member since 1980, working continually in many different positions. He served the organization as Area 4 Representative, Conference Evaluation Chair, TAEA photographer, Secondary Division Chair, Region 6 Representative, and Retired Division Chair. Rob was a certified Visual Art Scholastic Event juror, working at the regional and state level. He served VASE as a site director, juror foreman and member of the Blue Ribbon Board. His dedication continued as site coordinator for Region 6 Summer Regional Conferences and our first Summer “Senior” Symposium. No job too large or small for Rob, just ask and he was there to help. Rob was a life member of the Brazos Valley Art Education Association and National Art Education Association. His dedication to TAEA and art education is clearly evident.

Rob leaves behind his immediate family and extended TAEA Family. This kind, loyal, dedicated, generous, “get it done” gentleman will be greatly missed. We are grateful for his contributions to art education.

Dr. Phyllis Knerl Miller

Dr. Phyllis Miller was an ultimate art educator and a mentor to so many young art teachers wanting to come into the teaching field. She served as a professor of art education at the University of Houston for many years helping to grow students and the program. Dr. Miller was eager to share her vast knowledge, experiences and resources with her university students and members of her art association, TAEA.

She was also a loyal member of Texas Art Education Association over the years. Dr. Miller was President of TAEA as well as a charter member of the TAEA Distinguish Fellows. She was selected for many honors during her career because of the rigorous work she did. She helped build our art association by advocating for the arts, serving on the TAEA board and mentoring board members. Her work with the Council at Large committee is legendary and she was our hero for testifying at the Capitol to promote art education. She not only talked to everyone about how important art can be, but she practiced it in her daily life. She was some gal and a friend to all.

Phyllis was survived by her husband, William Miller, and three sons, Robert, John, and Steve, five grandchildren, and countless friends. They were with Phyllis at her home in Austin, Texas. As was her wish, she will be laid to rest near her parents in Ravenna, Nebraska.

Her memory can also be honored with a donation to the TAEA Foundation Scholarship program or the Phyllis and Mudge Miller Scholarship Endowment at the University of Houston College of Education.

Annetta Jeanne Rollins October 26, 1936 – August 30, 2020

Annetta Jeanne Jones Rollins of Wimberley, Texas was the daughter of Willard and Overa Jones of Snyder, Texas, born on October 26, 1936. The family moved to Hamlin, Texas where she graduated from Hamlin High School in 1953. She earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in art from Hardin-Simmons University and master's degree from Abilene Christian University. She taught Special Education prior to teaching art at Madison Jr. High and Cooper High School.

Jeanne accepted a position with the Texas Education Agency in Austin Texas where she served 23 years as Director of Fine Arts. Jeanne was passionate about art and promoting art education, touching countless lives.

Jeanne Rollins was instrumental in developing the Critical Creative Connections Grant that mentored many Texas art educators in curriculum and arts instruction. These trainers then went out across Texas and taught workshops for art teachers for two years. Jeanne also brought all of the arts in Texas together and formed our very own Center for Educator Development in the Fine Arts, CEDFA. This organization is still going strong today thanks to Jeanne Rollin’s vision.

She was a long-time member of TAEA, Texas Art Education Association, serving as TAEA President, receiving the distinguished honor of Texas Art Educator of the Year in 1983 and NAEA, National Art Education Association, serving as Conference Program Coordinator in Houston in 1988. Jeanne was an incredibly talented artist in ceramics, painting, sculpture, contemporary quilting, jewelry, and weaving. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dick Rollins, daughter Regena Hatchett of San Antonio and son Richard Rollins and wife Kelly of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Jeanne Rollins made significant contributions to the field of art education in Texas and at the national level.

Donna Rae Harris September 28, 1925 - April 28, 2018

Donna was born in Medford, Oregon. She lived a rich, full life to the age of 92. She received her Master’s degree in Art Education and was an Art Teacher for the Alvin Independent School District for 23 years, before retiring on May 31, 1986. Donna had a passion for camping, painting, weaving, and watercolor.

She created beautiful textiles and weavings and was a life member of the Contemporary Handweavers of Houston. She was a long-standing TAEA member for many years where she contributed as a workshop presenter. She founded the Bay Area Art Educators and provided many regional workshops. Due to her extensive work with the Texas Art Education Association, Donna was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Texas Art Education Association in 2011.