Dawna Lee (Horner) Womack

Dawna Lee (Horner) Womack was born in Cassville, Missouri on May 18, 1930 to C. Lucien and Nina Horner. She was a good student and in 1948 graduated Valedictorian of her high school class.  Dawna attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri from 1948 to 1950. She then transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduated in 1952 with a BS in business education. Next was a teaching position in Boulder Public Schools from 1952 to 1954. Dawna often recalled her time in Boulder favorably because it was her first teaching job and she was able to interact with, see, and help underprivileged students far beyond the classroom. In 1954 Dawna moved to Rolla, Missouri to teach business courses in Rolla High School. She was married to Leland B. Womack, Jr. on February 25, 1956. Dawna took a break from teaching from 1959 to 1968 to raise their three children, Garth, Neal and Liene, to school age on their farm south of Rolla.

With the kids safely in school, Dawna obtained a Librarian Certification, returning to the Rolla school system as a part-time Librarian. Eventually she obtained a full-time position at Mark Twain Elementary School. Dawna developed the first library at the school as the full-time Librarian. Being an avid reader from childhood, she loved to read to her students and did, every day. At one point there was a movement before the school to ban certain books from her library. Dawna went to the administration to argue that all children have a right to a free and wide-ranging education. The books stayed.

In 1992, Dawna retired from teaching with a wealth of experience helping underserved and underrepresented kids. She was never preachy. She just saw what needed to be done for her students and did it. Dawna was a member of the United Methodist Church and in retirement she worked with Stephen Ministries within the Methodist Church counseling children and adults who were neglected or abused. At one point, the Methodist Church announced that they would not marry gay couples. Dawna was a vocal opponent of the pronouncement. This ban was recently rescinded.

Dawna served her community by volunteering with CASA – court appointed special advocates – a program providing help and understanding for kids that didn’t have it at home. She was a 64-year member of PEO, a philanthropic organization focusing on providing educational opportunities for female students. Dawna also served several years as an election judge in Phelps County. She loved participating in the electoral process and interacting with the voters.

Dawna Lee Womack was a kind, gentle, nurturing mother, teacher, counselor and friend. She was also a strong, fearless advocate for the underserved. On September 20, 2024, Dawna’s life ended at the age of 94 years old. A life well lived. 

Dawna desired no funeral. To honor her, exercise your right to vote and support your local library.