Jean Mccoyramey Scully

(Reva) Jean McCoy Ramey Scully, a bright light in the lives of her family, friends and hundreds of children, passed from this life on May 5th at Midland Hospice House after a short illness.

Jean was born in Belvue, Kansas on June 2nd, the third child of Stephen A. "Mick" McCoy and Bess Stratton McCoy. Raised by her sweet, caring mother and her fun-loving father, Jean learned the importance of love, respect and compassion; a compass that guided her throughout life.

Jean grew up on farms in rural Pottawatomie County, loving school with all her heart. She idolized her teachers who instilled in her a steadfast desire to learn, but most of all to teach. She was an excellent student, an award-winning speller and a first-rate athlete. She lettered in basketball at Wamego High School after learning the game from her brother, Bob, under a basket nailed to the side of the barn.

Upon graduation from high school, Miss Jean became a teacher in a one room schoolhouse at Pleasant Hill in rural Pottawatomie County. She taught all eight grades with some of her students towering over her slight frame. Her own education was continuous, taking correspondence courses from K-State, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Washburn University, and achieving a Master's Degree and additional accreditation from Emporia State Teacher's College, all while teaching her own students. In her 38 year teaching career she taught at Louisville, Rossville, Maple Hill, Silver Lake, Denison, Avondale and Topeka 501 schools Lowman Hill and Shaner (in the midst of desegregation), primarily teaching 1st or 2nd grade. No teacher loved her students more than Miss Jean, who in her later years went on to teach Sunday school at Pleasant Hill UMC in Topeka.

Love was also central to her personal life. She married Johnnie Ramey in the late 1940's and love sustained them throughout their marriage, especially after Johnnie was struck with Multiple Sclerosis. After such loss, Jean found love again with Dale "Fritz" Scully, who she had known in her youth and reconnected with by chance. They married in 1971 and enjoyed 24 years of happiness: dancing at the Moose Lodge, playing golf and taking trips to the races.

Jean had no children of her own but was a pillar in the lives of her three nieces, Barbara Spears Hanson, Linda McCoy Seitz and Lois McCoy Lacock. Aunt Jean helped her parents to raise Barbara after the death of her older sister, Catheron, Barbara's mother. She was also beloved by her niece and nephew by marriage, Beverly Ramey Newell and Bob Ramey. Jean doted on her great-nieces and nephews, some of whom called her "Grandma Jean," and on their children. The other "children" in her life were her dogs. After the loss of Dale, her beloved chow, Connie, provided much comfort and companionship.

Jean Scully is survived by her nieces, Linda McCoy (Albert) Seitz of Ottawa; Barbara Spears (Larry) Hanson of Topeka; Lois McCoy (Tom) Lacock of Rossville; Beverly Ramey (Dick) Newell of Topeka; and nephew Bob (Alta) Ramey of Pukwana, S.D., their families and her Bichon Frise, Abby.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father, sister, Catheron McCoy (Jim) Spears, brother, Robert (Lura) McCoy, and husbands, Johnnie Ramey and Dale Scully.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 8th at 10:00 a.m., at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka. Interment will follow at Rochester Cemetery, Topeka. Mrs. Scully will lie instate after 3 p.m., Friday at the funeral home where the family will received friends from 7-8 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd, Topeka, KS 66617 or the Children's Education Fund at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 5919 NE Glenwood Dr., Topeka, KS 66617.