Renée Elise Tunnell Verrill

Renée Elise Tunnell Verrill passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date with a private interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Renée was born July 1, 1960. in San Angelo to Maurine and James Tunnell. She grew up living in Corpus Christi, Wichita Falls and Burkburnett. She graduated from Burkburnett High School and Texas Tech University. Renée was a special education teacher for 27 years teaching in Floydada ISD, Burkburnett ISD, Southwest ISD and Boerne ISD. She met Michael Verrill at a Halloween party in 1984 in Wichita Falls and they married in May 1985. Renée and Michael lived at Sheppard AFB, Lack-land AFB and Boerne. They had two children, Elissa Beth and Ryn.

Renée loved going to Broadway and Harlequin Theater plays and concerts. She collected dolls and loved all of her pets. Halloween was her favorite time of the year, enjoying going to Fiesta Texas Fright Fest for the shows.

After retiring from teaching Renée had her hair colored purple because she could. Renée was a 15-year survivor of multiple myeloma cancer, keeping a good and humorous attitude about it, never letting it beat her.

Renée is survived by her husband of 33 years Michael, daughter Elissa Beth Downs, son-in-law Kevin Downs, son Ryn Verrill, sister Michele Hinze, brother-in-law Steve Hinze, nephews James and Matt Hinze, many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Stuart Tunnell, and nephew Steven Hinze.

We would like to express gratitude to Dr. Michael Osswald, the Bone Marrow Transplant staff and ward, and the staff of numerous clinics, ERs and ICUs at Brooke Army Medical Center for their caring and support of Renée.

Instead of floral remembrances, the family suggests that donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrforg./) to honor Renée’s memory. To share words of comfort with the family, please visit www.holtfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the staff of Holt & Holt Funeral Home of Boerne.