Prestene Weaver

Prestene Conway McLain Weaver was born on March 9, 1933, and left this earth on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

She was the third of eight children born into a loving family in the piney woods of deep East Texas. The brood of overly energetic children’s young days became the threads that stitched us
together, making a quilt that wrapped and warmed us, and produced the strong sense of Conway Pride that we all have. Countless nights would be spent with the next generation
sitting, in awe, listening to our parent’s tales of their younger days. This tradition has carried on through the years and we all have the gift of storytelling.

In school, Prestene excelled both academically and athletically. One of the highlights of her high school days was being named Women’s State Guard during the Class B basketball
playoffs her junior and senior years. She played the clarinet and twirled for the Mighty Tiger Band. Her older brother, Odell Conway, realized her talent and purchased her a silver clarinet.
Years later, during a bathroom remodel, Preston, her father, boarded up her priceless silver clarinet in the walls... never to be seen again.

Prestene married at twenty and had three children with Ferris McCord, who would hold her heart for eternity. Ferris died suddenly in 1966 leaving her heartbroken with three young children. She made the leap and she and her sister, Jimmie, enrolled in classes at Panola Junior College.

During the difficult years ahead of working and raising babies she endured and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Stephen F Austin State University in 1973. Work, love, and family took her to every corner of this nation that she loved. During her travels, she welcomed two more children and never slowed down. The 1980s brought her full circle and she landed on native soil - her beloved Texas. This is when she discovered her life passion, teaching. For years Tene devoted her days to working with young people with learning disabilities. She strived to ignite a spark in every student that joined her class.

Coming in a strong third to her family and career was her love of hitting a hardwood floor and kicking up her heels! If someone said dance - her eyes lit up and began to twinkle. She danced
any and every chance she had. She and her best friend, Miss Mrytle Calvin, made quite a stunning pair when they entered a dance hall.

Life threw her some curves along the way: she lost both her parents, 2 husbands, a son, a grandson, three brothers, two sisters, and numerous friends. Tene never gave up, she believed
in working hard and giving 100% to everything she did. Her work ethic was instilled in her by her parents and she passed it along to her children. Always arrive early and never miss a day
of work unless you can not drag yourself in.

Tene joined many organizations and clubs through the years: Women of the Moose, SPJST, Beta Club, Caldwell Chapter #976 OES, Ladies Auxillary to the Veteran’s of Foreign War, Ladies Petroleum Club, Lady Lions Club, Happy Feet Dance Club and even though she was not of Czech descent, she was a member in good standing of the Burleson County Czech Heritage Society.

Prestene is survived by her children: Pat Geer, Rita Charbeneau and husband Bobby, Tena Merrow, David Pierce and DeeDee, grandchildren: Heather Smith, Deric Wynne, Peter McCord,
Christopher Geer, Andrea McCord, Preston Geer, and “Her Girl” McKenzie Pierce great grand children: Elias and Harper Geer, sisters: Jimmie Lovell, Sara Nutt and husband C.M., her niece
and almost daughter, Barbara Bailey and numerous nieces and nephews.

Proceed in death by: father, Preston Conway, mother, Rita Hillen Conway, brothers: Odell Conway, Roy Conway, and Jack Conway sisters: Lyndal Zekula, Florence “Flossie” Steele son:
Ferris “Butch” McCord, grandson: Jared Wynne, husbands, Ferris “Bam” McCord and Kenneth Weaver.

LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS.
IT’S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.