Obituary

Anna Laura Denison, 74, of Halfway, TX departed this earthly world and entered heaven’s gates on February 4, 2021. A rosary will be held Friday, February 12, 2021 at Bartley Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m., and graveside services will be Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Parklawn Cemetery.

Anna Laura (Lee) Denison was born to Irvin and Jean Lee on December 5, 1946 and was the elder sister to Linda and Patty. Her formative years were spent in Halfway, TX, and she attended Plainview schools, graduating in 1965. She married James Wall and had two children, Brent Wall and Michelle Daniel. She later graduated from Wayland Baptist University with Bachelor’s degrees in English and History, and eventually earned her Master’s degree in Education from West Texas State University.

Anna Laura’s teaching career spanned 30 years with Plainview Independent School District. In her early years she taught History at Estacado Jr. High before moving to Plainview High School, teaching English. She was passionate in her desire to educate, and she sought not only to instill a love of learning in her students, but to encourage her contemporaries to do the same. Anna Laura earned the reputation of being a tough but fair teacher by pushing her students to rise to her expectations, and by pushing her peers to expect more from their own students. She taught with a palpable excitement and joy that sparked the same excitement in “her kids”, because all her students became hers.

In 1985 Anna Laura married Dennis Denison, enjoying over 35 years of marriage. She and Dennis shared a love of travel and adventure. They enjoyed motorcycle trips that crisscrossed much of the country, went white water rafting, visited numerous national parks, and developed friendships that grew into extended family. Trips eventually included traveling in their RV trailer, allowing them to enjoy retirement together and with beloved friends.

Anna Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Jean Lee; her daughter in law, Allison Wall; and her sister, Linda Barton.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dennis Denison of Halfway; a son, Brent Wall and fiancé, Michelle Thomas of San Antonio; her daughters, Michelle Daniel of Lubbock, and Jamie Goss and husband, Michael, of Kress; her grandchildren, Chase, Spencer, Taylor, Parker, Brook, Avery, and Lane. She was also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren.