Marla Anne McGill, 66, of Amarillo passed from this life July 18, 2020.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, in the Boxwell Brothers Chapel, 2800 Paramount, Amarillo. Officiating will be Dr. Mike Bellah and the Rev. Dr. Jacob Miller. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Marla was born May 14, 1954, in Amarillo to C. W. “Bill” McGill, Jr. and Gloria L. McGill. She attended Amarillo schools, graduating from Tascosa High School in 1972. After attending Amarillo College, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1976 from West Texas State University and a master’s degree in education, also from West Texas State, in 1982. While a student in high school and college, she performed with various choirs, in musical productions, and in the outdoor musical drama Texas. In addition to having a beautiful alto voice, Marla played piano and guitar. She worked as a camp counselor at Hidden Falls Ranch for several summers, and through her gift of music, contributed to worship services all of her life.

Marla taught elementary school in Pampa, Grandview-Hopkins, and Amarillo, retiring from full-time teaching in 2007, after 35 years. She was a Reading Recovery® specialist and derived great pleasure from teaching young people to read.

Those who know Marla describe her with the words, “faithful friend” and “generous.” Untold individuals and organizations have benefited from her open heart and willingness to share.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Mark, her aunt Patricia J. Henry, grandparents Virginia Ruth McGill and Hubert W. and Louise Cass Jerry, special friends Grace Ladehoff and Harold Dean Carson, and a multitude of furred and feathered friends.

Survivors include cousins Brian A. Henry; Shiela L. Henry Moore and husband Les of Sanger, Texas; Scott W. Henry of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Michelle Henry Raftshol and husband Rudy of Minneapolis, Minnesota;  and Kimberly Henry Pierson of Amarillo; numerous second cousins, and her beloved pets, Molly, Boo, and Tux.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Melinda Hodnik, Silvia Martinez, and Alice Upshaw.

Memorials may be sent to Animal Rescue Shelter, Inc., 12500 FM 1541, Amarillo, TX 79118; Hidden Falls Ranch, Inc., P. O. Box 136, Wayside, TX 79094, or the F. A. Schaeffer Foundation, CH.DE Jermintin 3, Gryon, Switzerland.

Masks are preferred in the Chapel. For those not able to attend, a recording of the service will be available online at a later date.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com