Lillian Symmes, UT’s oldest living alumna, died on Saturday, March 31 at the age of 101.
Mrs. Symmes began teaching at an elementary school in Wakula County Florida at the age of 18. While teaching, she attended the University of Tampa for summer classes. She graduated with an education degree in 1951.
“You respected her. You didn’t do anything bad in her class,” Jeanie Bush, a student of Symmes 45 years ago. “She had so much patience with even the unruliest children.”
“She was on everyone’s level. She made you feel at home,” Rev. Sharon Austin, who held the memorial for Symmes. “She was full of character, and she was a character.”