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Jane Revel Franklin Johnson Papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Coll-245

The collection consists of 106 photographic slides of many of the building sites that Jeff Franklin built including the Reeves County Courthouse, Love Field and the Penny Building in Dallas. Digital files include scans of newspaper clippings, self-published works by Jane, and photographs.

Dates

  • 1950-2020

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.

Extent

106 Photographic Slides

Abstract

Jane Revel Franklin Johnson has had an adventurous life in East Texas as a child and young woman, then in traveling with her husband Jeff Franklin, a professional builder who built courthouses, schools, and municipal buildings throughout Texas and the South. After his death she married Fremont Johnson in Aransas Pass. They traveled to Europe, were active in many civic organizations, she immersed herself in writing and learning genealogy. Jane passed away at the age of 103 in 2020.

Biographical / Historical

Jane Revel was born on a farm near Crockett, Texas on August 16, 1916. In 1933 Jane graduated from Latexo High School as the salutatorian. Her grandfather, John R. Luce, had promised her the money from half of the cotton crop to attend her first year at Stephen F. Austin College. Jane had made clothes for her time at college and saved every nickel she earned at odd jobs. Boll weevils destroyed the crop and Jane was resigned to accepting a job in Crockett at an insurance company. In 1939 Jeff Franklin traveled to Crockett to build the Houston County Courthouse. He was an experienced, mature professional builder. Prior to becoming a builder, Franklin had served in the US Navy for twenty years. He met Jane in the mayor’s office while obtaining a work permit. They were married that same year. The couple lived in Dallas, but Jane accompanied Jeff to many building sites during their years of marriage. Interested in genealogy, they researched the Franklin family history and all of Jane’s family. They eventually ended up in Ingleside, Texas when Jeff semi-retired. Jane continued to work at Reynolds Aluminum as a mail clerk and switchboard operator. They both were involved in many civic organizations including the Masons, and Evening Star, and enjoyed fishing. Jane was a member of the Women’s Business Group of Aransas Pass, became a Master Gardener, volunteered at the Botanical Gardens and was the Editor of the Coastal Bend Genealogical Society Jeff Franklin passed away and eventually Jane married Fremont Johnson in January of 1979. Jane and Fremont owned and managed Biography Press in Aransas Pass, managed rental property, were active in the Rotary Club, and rode bicycles. Jane published her story, Wrong Way Whoopy, Whooping Cranes: A Whimsical History. She also published Your Guide for Coastal Bend Living. Jane and Fremont traveled to Europe in 1980, visiting twenty-four countries traveling by train and bus for four months. Touring Europe was a highlight, and Jane wrote a small booklet to celebrate their visit. Fremont died in December 1995. Jane would continue to be active volunteering with H2U making things for patients at Doctor’s Regional Hospital for ten years. In March of 2018 she experienced a house fire at her residence and resided at Brookdale Independent Living in Portland, Texas, for over a year. Jane’s maternal grandfather was John R. Luce, a Texas State Congressman who promoted the passing of a bill to provide children in Texas with schoolbooks in 1910.

Arrangement

The collection is in the original order the donor created.

Processing Information

Photographs, slides, news articles were digitized by Nicholas Vela, processed by Ed Warga, Lori Atkins interviewed Jane Revel Franklin Johnson and wrote the finding aid with help from family member Heather Miller. Kim Gianfrancesco created the EAD finding aid.

Title
Jane Revel Franklin Johnson Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Lori K Atkins
Date
2020 January 06
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
2nd

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Repository

Contact:
6300 Ocean Dr.
Unit 5702
Corpus Christi TX 78412 United States
361-825-4500
361-825-5973 (Fax)