Funeral for Georgann Levite Vineyard, 83, Lawton will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Phil Jones officiating. Mrs. Vineyard died Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Lawton. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. Richard Bach wrote in Jonathan Livingston Seagull, "One school is finished and the time has come for another to begin" Another school began for Georgann Levite Vineyard when she passed away on May 23, 2015. On January 1, 1932, George and Lilly Levite welcomed Lawton's first baby of the new year, Georgann Levite. Georgann spent her childhood in the small Oklahoma town of Apache. With her sister, Molly, she made many memories at her family's general store, Levite's. She excelled in school and played the clarinet in the band. In a chance encounter on an elevator at band camp in Enid, Oklahoma during her junior year in high school, she met the love of her life, Jim Vineyard of Cushing, Oklahoma, and thus began a love story that spanned over 65 years. She graduated from Apache High School in 1950, and continued her education at The University of Oklahoma. While at O.U., she was a member and President of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and was named Top Ten Freshman. Georgann graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After graduation, she married Jim on September 5, 1954, and they were blessed to celebrate their 60th anniversary this past September. Their journey as a married couple began in Lawton, Oklahoma as Lt. James Vineyard was stationed at Fort Sill. The couple was blessed by the birth of their first daughter, Vicky, in 1955. Jim was then stationed at Fort Bliss, so the family moved to El Paso, Texas. In 1957 they returned to Lawton in time to welcome their second daughter, Cheri. Georgann loved being a housewife and mother, and in 1963 the family grew with the birth of their third daughter, Cindy. During this time Georgann taught private speech lessons and directed Post Children's Theatre at Fort Sill. Georgann loved learning, so she attended night school and earned her Master's Degree in Reading Education with a minor in English as a Second Language from O.U. She began her teaching career at Eisenhower High School teaching Dimensions in Reading from 1973-1985. She then taught Title I Reading at Washington, Kuntz, and Western Hills. Even following her retirement in 1995, Georgann continued with private tutoring. She touched many lives and taught many students not only how to read, but also how to be better people. She had a great love for books, cats, and astrology, and enjoyed sharing those passions with others. Georgann started the Lawton Area Reading Council and was named Lawton Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 1980. Over the years, Georgann continued her lifelong involvement in many civic and educational organizations. She was a member of Lawton's Junior Service League, and served as President in 1963. While working with the Junior Service League, Georgann helped open The Breast Center in Lawton. She was also an active member of the Lawton Knife and Fork Club, Retired Teachers Association, Friends of the Library, Literary Council, and the Salvation Army. She served on the board for Roadback and the Lawton Public Library, volunteered at the Helen Holliday House and was a Friend of Bill W. In addition, she was a member of the Shakespeare Club, Potpourri, the Pet Cemetery group, and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. She was a long-time member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Helping others and spending time with friends gave her great joy. Georgann was a 13 year survivor of breast cancer, and she loved working with the Cancer Society to help other women diagnosed with the disease. Her positive attitude was contagious, and her outlook on life helped many people overcome their own obstacles. In her retirement years, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren succeed in life and was very proud of great-grandchildren. She was "Grams" to 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Georgann is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Chuck Robinson of Edmond; daughter and son-in-law, Cheri and Chuck Abshere of Lawton; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and David Rhoades of Broken Arrow; grandchildren, Joe Abshere and his wife Ostyn, Jenny Sheperd and her husband Grant, Stephanie Gibson and her husband Doug, Brett Rhoades, Bayley Rhoades, Chad Robinson and his wife Holly, Colby Robinson and his wife Emily, Conner Robinson and his wife Becky, and Teyon Ware and his wife Shea; great-grandchildren, Anistyn and Ace Abshere, Ava and Luke Sheperd, Chloe and Gabby Gibson, Mackaylee and Caedmon Robinson, and Charlie Robinson; sister, Molly Levite Griffis of Norman; niece, Ginger Griffis, and nephew, George Griffis, his wife Katka, and their son William, and nieces Anita Achtenberg and Diane Abbrecht. The family would like to send special thanks to Jo, Gabby, and Christine for their loving care. Georgann was preceded in death by her husband, Jim and her brother, Paul West Levite. One of Georgann's favorite quotes is also from Bach"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." Farewell, Georgann, until we meet again. Memorial contributions may be made to Roadback, Inc., 1202 S.W. A Ave., Lawton, OK 73501 or to The Alzheimer's Association, 2448 E. 81st Street, Suite 3000,, Tulsa, OK 74137-4250.