Rhea Jane Pleasant Hubbard

Life began in the countryside of Anderson County’s Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Rhea lovingly stated of her hometown - “Lawrenceburg is a paradox, a jewel in the middle of a Southern State.” Rhea Jane was the only baby who survived a springtime birth to her mother Catherine Utterback Harris Pleasant and father Raymond Isaiah Pleasant. Her great strength reigned from a lineage of strong matriarchs, with her mother Catherine being born a mere 20 years after the end of slavery in the U.S. Rhea Jane met all circumstances in life with courage, grit, and true determination, backing down to no circumstance that presented itself in her life even in her final moments.

“I was privileged to have grown up in the tranquil picturesque heart of the bluegrass area in the small town of Lawrenceburg, the county seat of Anderson County. Anderson County is rich in limestone, water tobacco, bourbon whiskey, and thoroughbred race horses. There are miles of white wood and rock fences framing the vast open space and farms. The rolling hills are covered with the dusty blue blossoms of the Kentucky green grass waving in the breeze. The smell of cedar, the huge spreading maple trees, the blooming red buds and dogwoods blend with colorful wild flowers to create the beauty of this almost utopian setting of my childhood.” Rhea Jane

Mama Katie taught in the town’s one-room school while her father Raymond Pleasant was the school’s principal and an undertaker. Desiring education from accredited schools Rhea, and siblings Naomi, and Thomas moved in with their Auntie to attend Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana until graduation in 1947. Rhea Jane studied tailoring at Western Kentucky Industrial College in Paducah, KY. She worked in Chicago then transferred her credits to Kentucky State University. There she majored in Education and graduated in 1957 when she began teaching in Gary, Indiana. Soon after she met her husband who whisked her off to California upon his retirement from a military career as Chief Warrant Officer, Missile Technician, and Paratrooper for the U.S. Army.

Their first daughter Karen was born, then Ava “Solana”. They flourished in Santa Ana with relatives close by who had migrated from Lawrenceburg. Rhea and her husband assured their family was well taken care of. She supported both daughters development in Christianity, creative arts, music, dance, athletics, scholastics, travel, and nature adventures. From Camp Fire Girl campouts to bountiful arts and crafts at home, Rhea was a dedicated and vivacious Mother with tireless energy and enthusiasm always putting her family as first priority. After her retirement she enjoyed her home in Orange County for decades and cared for her daughter Karen. In her latter years she moved on to a beautiful residence in Yorba Linda, California and was well cared for by a phenomenal team of caregivers and her daughter Solana.

Education: M.S. Degree in Reading, Pepperdine University 1975. M.A. Degree in Education, New York University 1969. B.A. Degree Education, Kentucky State University 1957, Bachelor’s Degree with Honors & Distinction; Dr. Martin L Luther King, Pastor Commencement Speaker. Additional Training: Great Books Leadership Training, Youth Effectiveness Training, Chapman Reading Clinic, Dale Carnegie, Hypnotherapy. Experience: Second Grade Teacher, Santa Ana Unified School District 1964-1988, Fifth Grade Teacher, Gary, Indiana 1957-1960. Professional Affiliations: National Education Association, California Teacher Association, American Federation of Teachers, Santa Ana Teachers Associations, Phi Delta Kappa. Collegiate Affiliations: FTA, YWCA, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, President Dean of Pledgee, College Choir, Who’s Who, B.S.U., Yearbook Staff, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Life Credentials: Ryan Reading Specialist, General Elementary, Community College Instructor.

Rhea is preceded by sisters Naomi Barkley, Lucille Lynem, and brother Thomas Carlton Pleasant. Her passing is mourned by her loving daughters, Solana Rehne and Karen Hubbard of Orange County, CA, niece Donna Barkley of Cincinnati, OH, nephew Daniel Michael Lynem Sr; great nieces and great nephew, cousins; Jackie DuBois, Sharon Little, Alicia Howard, Spunner Johnson, Rose Cunningham, Geneva and the Pleasant’s of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and many relatives, loved ones and friends.