Jane Revel Franklin Johnson Papers

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.