History

Rann Elementary promotes a culture which encourages our students to perform their best. We instill an environment which promotes self confidence, a desire to learn, and social well being for everyone.

Rann Elementary was the original Decatur Elementary until 2000 when the name was changed to honor G.C. & Maurine Rann, long time educators of Decatur. Carson Elementary also opened in 2000 and Decatur Elementary students were split between the two campuses. Elementary rezoning occurred once again in 2009 with the opening of Young Elementary.  

Rann Namesake

Maurine Van Meter Rann was born March 20, 1912, in Rhome and was the youngest of four children born to Archibald B. and Stella Shaw Van Meter. She graduated from Decatur High School and received a bachelor's degree from what is now Texas Woman's University where her stepmother, Allie B. Chambers Van Meter, and two sisters had graduated.

In 1937, Maurine married G.C. "Cleo" Rann and one child, Suzanne Zemmin, was born to this union. They first lived in Chico where Cleo was superintendent of schools before returning to Decatur and living on the family farm. Maurine was a teacher at Decatur Elementary School where her husband was principal. The Rann Elementary School was named in recognition of the couple's long and outstanding service to education.


Maurine became a member of DAR and did extensive research on her family's genealogy, resulting in the publishing of her book, Our Van Meter Kinsmen â€" 1662-1969. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Decatur for 79 years and was active in Wesleyans. Maurine belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma and Wise County Retired Teachers. She was also a 30-year volunteer at the local hospital, and when she was unable to work, she contributed generously to the Wise Regional Health Center.