Jean Lee (Grounds) Whitener, 96, of Columbia, MO, passed away December 14, 2016. Visitation will be at the Follis Funeral Home in Fredericktown, MO on December 20, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Services will be held at the Marquand Methodist Church in Marquand, MO at 10:30 A.M..followed by burial at the Whitener Cemetery.
Jean was born August 14, 1920 in St. Louis, MO to Luther and Joy Grounds. In 1934, she relocated with her parents to the family farm in Cornwall, MO. Jean attended high school in Marquand, MO, graduating in 1937.
Jean married her high school sweetheart, Joy E. Whitener, in 1940 at her home in Cornwall. They were married 74 years.
After attending Southeast Missouri State, Jean began her classroom teaching career in rural Madison County in 1938, a career that spanned 39 years, interrupted only by her husband's naval service during World War II when she joined him in Norfolk, Virginia. Their parallel careers in education took them to Marquand, MO; Alton, MO; Louisiana, MO; and, Kewanee, IL. Their final career move was to St. Louis County, MO, where Jean taught in the Lindbergh School District as a classroom teacher and reading specialist. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri and a Master's degree from Webster University.
Throughout her life, Jean was devoted to her family. Shortly after her mother was widowed, Jean and Joy welcomed her into their home. She cherished holidays, especially Christmas, and always looked forward to extended visits from her grandchildren. In addition to her family, Jean enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking, and genealogy. Her family research led to the publication of her family's history in 2004. She was a longtime member of the Methodist Church.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Don R. Whitener M.D.; grandson, Thomas Rush; sister, Irma Detjen; and, brother, Roy Grounds.
She is survived by her son, Joy, Jr "Doc" (Mary) Whitener of Columbia, MO; daughter, Judy (Richard) Rush of Oak Grove, MO; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and, many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Joy and Jean Whitener Scholarship Fund, ? Marquand/Zion R-6 School District in Marquard, MO. or to a charity of the donor's choice.