Jean Heath

KIOWA-Eleanor Jean Heath, 104, of Kiowa, KS, passed away on March 17, 2014 at the Kiowa Manor. Jean was born on February 3, 1910, in Hazelton, KS, the only child of Raymond and Alma (Rentfrow) Edwards. When Jean was eight her mother passed away from tuberculosis so she was raised by her grandparents. Jean spent the school year in Hazelton, KS and summers in Pond Creek, OK. She enjoyed being in drama in high school and graduated valedictorian of her 1927 Hazelton High School class. Jean attended Emporia Teacher's College, Emporia, KS and received a life-time teacher's certificate. She taught school in Hazelton and Attica, KS prior to becoming a farmer's wife. Jean married Harvey Dea Heath on September 12, 1931 in a preacher's home near Hazelton. Jean and Dea celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September 1981 and Dea passed away soon afterwards on December 29, 1981. Dea and Jean purchased a farm five miles east of Kiowa in 1932. Jean lived there for 68 years before moving into Kiowa in 1999. Their life was made up of farm work, community, raising three children and 4-H work. They butchered their own beef and hogs, rendered lard, made soap, raised chickens, milked cows and made butter. She was a faithful member of the Home Economics Unit, Cedar HDU, the Pleasant Hour Club, several quilting groups and the United Methodist Women's organization. She taught Sunday school for 15 years in the elementary grades. Jean served as a 4-H cooking leader for 14 years. She had several interests including quilting, gardening, canning and reading. She won many awards at the Barber County Fair and twice was named Homemaker of the Year. Jean was a very kind, humble, caring and loving person. She never asked much for herself and she knew how to trust her life to her Lord. She was a wonderful example of the 'fruit of the Spirit' that the Apostle Paul speaks about in Galations 5. God's spirit showed through her in love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Her family always enjoyed her laughter and many family gatherings were filled with fun times. Jean will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and son-in-law, Duane Roudybush.

She is survived by a son John, Kiowa, KS and two daughters Deanna Roudybush, Topeka, KS, Heather Williams and husband, Meredith of Joplin, MO. Also surviving are seven grandsons, Scott Heath, Kiowa, KS, Jason Heath and wife, Jaci, Alva, OK, David Roudybush, Topeka, KS, Brad Roudybush, Valley Falls, KS, Mark Williams and wife Molly, Joplin, MO, Brian Williams and wife, Kim, Oxford, England, Nathan Williams and wife, Courtney, Tacoma, WA and eleven great-grandchildren; Melissa Roudybush, Chelsea Roudybush, Brandon Roudybush, Samuel, Benjamin, Jonathan and Catherine Williams, Ilia and Brecon Williams and Morgan Mader and Paisley Heath.

Funeral service will be held at the Kiowa United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 21, 2014 with Pastor Keith Fink officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Hazelton, KS.

Memorials may be made to the Kiowa United Methodist Youth Fellowship or the Sunflower 4-H Club and given to the funeral home. Visitation will be Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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