Mavis Curnutt De La Rosa, 1936-2020

Dr. Mavis De La Rosa, longtime educator and principal at Mineola schools, passed away April 26, 2020, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 83 years old. Visitation will be held at Beaty Funeral Home in Mineola on Thursday, April 30 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines established for 10-person maximum occupancy. The Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 1 will be limited to only family members, in line with church guidelines at this time. The funeral procession will pass by the Mineola Primary School at 1 p.m. Friday on the way to St. Peter's the Apostle Catholic Church. Due to many being unable to attend the funeral services, the family invites friends and former students to gather in the parking lot of the primary school to pay their respects as the funeral procession passes.

Mavis was born in Grand Saline on Dec. 14, 1936 to J.V. and Oleta Curnutt. She grew to adulthood in Grand Saline and was active in band, twirling and theater in her youth. She always wanted to be a teacher and began her education at Tyler Junior College, where she participated in the TJC Apache Belles dance troupe along with her studies. In 1955, she met the new Grand Saline band director, Manuel De La Rosa, and they soon fell in love. They were married on June 1, 1957 and welcomed their first son, Michael, in 1958 and their second son, Mitch, in 1961. Mavis continued her education through nights and weekends via East Texas State University while raising Michael and Mitch. She completed her education degree and began her teaching career in Grand Saline when Mitch entered school in 1967. The family moved to Mineola in 1971, yet she kept her education going and completed her MA in counseling and administration at East Texas State University in 1974 while balancing work as a 4th and 5th grade teacher, weekend classes and motherhood. Undeterred, she pushed on and earned her doctorate of education from East Texas State in May 1979. She then continued with the Mineola School District as a middle school counselor and curriculum director. In 1988, she earned her “dream job” and became the principal at Mineola Primary School where she guided the education of Mineola’s youngsters for 19 years. She retired in May 2009, completing a successful 42-year career as a Texas educator. 

Mavis had a powerful impact on a generation of Mineola children at all levels and inspired many to follow her footsteps in the teaching profession. After retirement, she continued lots of community involvement activities in Mineola, including her membership in Delphians, Kappa Delta Pi, The Mineola Library Club and various church activities at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish. She joined the local Kiwanis Club which sponsored many programs for school children, and she served as president of the Mineola chapter for two years. In her leisure time, Mavis enjoyed traveling across the country and around the globe with a group of close-knit friends, as well as tending to her beautiful home and grounds at Lake Brenda Estates.

Mavis is survived by her sister, Movita Maciel of Grand Saline (also a career educator and principal); two sons, Michael De La Rosa of Round Rock, his wife Laura and two sons Christopher and Andrew, and Mitch De La Rosa of Waco, his wife Liz and five children, Anna Marie (Christianson), Julia, Cecilia, Manuel and Benny; and one grandson, Carl Augustus Christianson. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter the Apostle Building Fund, 203 Meadowbrook Drive, Mineola 75773.